Subjects: Other Disciplines >> Synthetic discipline submitted time 2023-10-09 Cooperative journals: 《心理科学进展》
Abstract： With the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, AI chatbots have shown great potential in simulating human guidance to improve the engagement and efficacy of Internet-based self-help interventions (ISIs). Given that studies on the mechanisms of chatbots are still in the early stages, there is a need to conduct research that can help deepen our rational understanding of designing more targeted chatbots and further promoting the effectiveness of ISIs. Recently, researchers have focused on human-chatbot relationships (HCRs) and have attempted to explain the mechanisms of chatbot effectiveness from this perspective. As HCRs share some similarities with human-human relationships (HHRs), some HHR theories, such as social penetration theory, may be used to explain HCRs in ISIs. However, relying solely on HHR theories to explain HCRs in ISIs has some limitations, such as overlooking the early cognitive processing of human-computer interactions (HCIs) and ignoring the core goals of psychotherapy in ISIs. In response to these limitations, we propose a theoretical model that is particularly suitable for the ISI context from the perspective of HCI. Our model suggests that chatbots can gradually develop relationships with users through four stages: anthropomorphic attribution, utilitarian value judgment, attachment relationship development, and the establishment of the digital therapeutic alliance (DTA). These can ultimately promote user engagement through HCRs. First, when users interact with chatbots, they unconsciously treat them as if they were actual persons due to their human-like qualities or conversational ability, resulting in anthropomorphic attribution. As a result, users tend to interact with chatbots through interpersonal communication strategies. The effect of anthropomorphism will be amplified as the frequency of interaction increases, thereby promoting the development of HCRs. Consequently, we propose that anthropomorphic attribution be the primary starting point for developing HCRs. Second, users tend to judge the utilitarian value of chatbots in the early stages of HCR development to determine whether their actual needs can be met. Therefore, whether or not chatbots can demonstrate their true effectiveness based on user expectations in terms of usability, ease of use, and expectation confirmation is likely to influence user acceptance and engagement with them. With the growth in users' recognition, familiarity, and confidence in chatbots, their notion of anthropomorphism improves, indirectly enhancing user attitudes and further developing HCRs. Third, user participation in ISIs is influenced by anthropomorphic attribution and utilitarian value judgment in the short term. Given that emotional factors are becoming increasingly important in sustaining user engagement over time, users are likely to further anthropomorphize chatbots based on social motivation and establish an attachment relationship with them. The positive emotions experienced when interacting with chatbots deepen the HCRs, shifting relationships from “tools” to “partners.” When users' attachment to chatbots is transferred to their attachment to ISI tasks, they are more likely to actively engage in the treatment, allowing for the effective use of chatbots in psychotherapy. Finally, to achieve better therapeutic goals of ISIs, HCRs should be further developed into DTA—a deliberate and purposeful HCR model. Additionally, the stage-wise development of HCRs has laid a good foundation for establishing DTA. As the development of DTA can enhance and stabilize user engagement, future research can make valuable contributions by evaluating key HCR theories and constructing chatbots based on these theories. Apart from the topics stated above, there is a need to examine additional variables that affect HCRs, standardize operational definitions of engagement, and develop appropriate methods for measuring engagement. Ultimately, by developing our theoretical model, we contribute to the improvement of chatbot effectiveness in the field of psychotherapy through the promotion of a deeper rational understanding of HCRs.
Subjects: Psychology >> Applied Psychology Subjects: Psychology >> Psychological Measurement submitted time 2023-05-27
Abstract： In order to assess the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the mobile Agnew Relationship Measure (mARM-C), 574 university students who had recently used meditation apps were recruited to complete both the mARM-C and criterion measures. After two weeks, a subset of 102 of these participants were retested. The exploratory factor analysis and network analysis results revealed that the mARM-C comprised 19 items across five factors. Further confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the five-factor model was a good fit, and the questionnaire exhibited satisfactory criterion-related validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and good internal consistency reliability, which met the criteria for psychological measurement standards. These results indicate that the mARM-C is a reliable and valid instrument, capable of measuring the digital therapeutic alliance between users and programs in internet-based self-help interventions.
Peer Review Status:
Awaiting Review
Subjects: Psychology >> Applied Psychology Subjects: Computer Science >> Natural Language Understanding and Machine Translation submitted time 2023-04-03
Abstract： AI chatbots can replicate human guidance to improve user engagement and efficacy in Internet-based Self-help Interventions (ISIs), thanks to the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. However, the study of chatbots’ mechanisms is still in its early stages. To deepen the rational understanding of this issue, we propose a theoretical model based on the human-computer relationship that adapts to the ISIs situation: chatbots can develop Human-Chatbot Relationships (HCRs) through the four stages of anthropomorphic attribution, utilitarian value judgment, attachment relationship development and the establishment of Digital Therapeutic Alliance (DTA) to improve user engagement. In future research, there is a need to further enrich and evaluate the key HCRs theories, construct chatbots based on the HCRs theory, examine additional variables that affect HCRs, unify operational definitions of engagement, and develop appropriate engagement measurement methods.
Subjects: Psychology >> Social Psychology submitted time 2023-03-28 Cooperative journals: 《心理科学进展》
Abstract： Recently, the rapid development of Internet technology has constantly promoted the digital process of the mental health industry. Internet-based self-help interventions (ISIs) have gradually become an effective supplement to traditional psychological counseling/psychotherapy. Although the feasibility and effectiveness of ISIs have been widely verified, some problems, such as low user engagement and high dropout rate in the actual application process, affect the quality and efficiency of ISIs. To solve the above problems, researchers began to combine the concept of the therapeutic alliance (TA) with ISIs and tried to establish TA with users in a digital environment by using applications to promote user engagement. This TA formed in a digital environment is called a digital therapeutic alliance (DTA). The gap between the natural language conversation ability of chatbots and human beings has gradually narrowed due to the continuous breakthrough of artificial intelligence technology. Compared with traditional ISI programs, chatbots are more likely to develop real social relations with human beings. This study proposes to embed chatbots in ISI programs and use personified chatbots with emotion recognition and interaction capabilities to establish and develop DTAs with users to make up for the lack of human guidance in ISIs to some extent. Also, this study integrates multidisciplinary theories such as mind perception theory, social cue reduction theory, the investment model of personal relationships, and self-determination theory. These theories are useful as follows: first, to build a model from the perspective of human-computer interaction (HCI); second, to explore the influencing factors and mechanisms in the process of establishing DTA between chatbots and users from both cognitive and emotional aspects; and lastly, to put forward several design features of chatbots that are conducive to strengthening DTA. Specifically, we can design relational cues for chatbots based on the facilitation factors of TA in traditional psychological counseling/psychotherapy, such as making chatbots show the characteristics of amiability, respectfulness, listening, encouragement, sincere comprehension, and mutual trust. The users can have a positive cognitive and emotional experience and establish and develop high-quality DTAs with them. This scheme not only helps chatbots improve artificial wisdom but also provides a new way to solve the problem of low user engagement, promotes the development of HCI and DTA theories, and advances the intelligent process of digital mental health in China. In addition to a more rigorous investigation of the factors that affect DTA, future research should consider how to integrate advanced technologies in computer science into ISIs to optimize the user experience of ISIs and promote the development of DTA, prepare a special scale based on the particularity of ISIs types and scenes, and unify the measurement specifications. It is also necessary to test the influence of different therapies and subjects, such as age, sex, symptoms, and other factors, on DTA in ISIs.
submitted time 2023-03-25 Cooperative journals: 《心理科学进展》
Abstract： Recently, the rapid development of Internet technology has constantly promoted the digital process of the mental health industry. Internet-based self-help interventions (ISIs) have gradually become an effective supplement to traditional psychological counseling/psychotherapy. Although the feasibility and effectiveness of ISIs have been widely verified, some problems, such as low user engagement and high dropout rate in the actual application process, affect the quality and efficiency of ISIs. To solve the above problems, researchers began to combine the concept of the therapeutic alliance (TA) with ISIs and tried to establish TA with users in a digital environment by using applications to promote user engagement. This TA formed in a digital environment is called a digital therapeutic alliance (DTA). The gap between the natural language conversation ability of chatbots and human beings has gradually narrowed due to the continuous breakthrough of artificial intelligence technology. Compared with traditional ISI programs, chatbots are more likely to develop real social relations with human beings. This study proposes to embed chatbots in ISI programs and use personified chatbots with emotion recognition and interaction capabilities to establish and develop DTAs with users to make up for the lack of human guidance in ISIs to some extent. Also, this study integrates multidisciplinary theories such as mind perception theory, social cue reduction theory, the investment model of personal relationships, and self-determination theory. These theories are useful as follows: first, to build a model from the perspective of human-computer interaction (HCI); second, to explore the influencing factors and mechanisms in the process of establishing DTA between chatbots and users from both cognitive and emotional aspects; and lastly, to put forward several design features of chatbots that are conducive to strengthening DTA. Specifically, we can design relational cues for chatbots based on the facilitation factors of TA in traditional psychological counseling/psychotherapy, such as making chatbots show the characteristics of amiability, respectfulness, listening, encouragement, sincere comprehension, and mutual trust. The users can have a positive cognitive and emotional experience and establish and develop high-quality DTAs with them. This scheme not only helps chatbots improve artificial wisdom but also provides a new way to solve the problem of low user engagement, promotes the development of HCI and DTA theories, and advances the intelligent process of digital mental health in China. In addition to a more rigorous investigation of the factors that affect DTA, future research should consider how to integrate advanced technologies in computer science into ISIs to optimize the user experience of ISIs and promote the development of DTA, prepare a special scale based on the particularity of ISIs types and scenes, and unify the measurement specifications. It is also necessary to test the influence of different therapies and subjects, such as age, sex, symptoms, and other factors, on DTA in ISIs.
Subjects: Psychology >> Applied Psychology Subjects: Computer Science >> Natural Language Understanding and Machine Translation submitted time 2022-10-22
Abstract： To address the issue of users’ poor engagement, researchers have recently integrated the therapeutic alliance (TA) concept with Internet-based self-help interventions (ISIs). Digital therapeutic alliance (DTA) are TAs established within a digital environment. A chatbot can replicate human guidance due to the rapid development of artificial intelligence, and it is easier to establish relationships with users than traditional ISIs. Furthermore, it may enhance DTA through amiability, respectfulness, attentiveness, encouragement, sincere comprehension, and mutual trust, which presents a novel solution to this issue. Future research can investigate DTA from the perspectives of affecting factors, technology iteration of ISIs, measurement specification, and experimental manipulation.
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