Publication Type
Journal Article
Version
publishedVersion
Publication Date
5-2025
Abstract
Numerous studies have demonstrated that positive psychology interventions, including brief interventions, can significantly improve well-being outcomes. These findings are particularly important given that many of these interventions are brief and self-administered, making them both accessible and scalable for large populations. However, the efficacy of positive psychology interventions is often constrained by small effect sizes. In light of advancements in generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), this study explored whether integrating AI chatbots into positive psychology interventions could enhance their efficacy compared to traditional self-administered approaches. Study 1 examined the efficacy of a gratitude intervention delivered through Snapchat's My AI, while Study 2 evaluated a self-affirmation intervention integrated with a customized ChatGPT. Both studies employed within-subject experimental designs. Contrary to our hypotheses, the integration of AI did not yield incremental improvements in gratitude outcomes (Study 1), or self-view outcomes (Study 2) compared to existing non-AI interventions. However, exploratory analyses revealed that the AI-integrated self-affirmation intervention significantly enhanced life satisfaction and medium-arousal positive affect, suggesting potential benefits for selected well-being outcomes. These findings indicate that while AI integration in brief, self-administered positive psychology interventions may enhance certain outcomes, its suitability varies across intervention types. Further research is needed to better understand the contexts in which AI can effectively augment positive psychology interventions.
Keywords
Positive psychology intervention, Gratitude, Self-affirmation, Artificial intelligence, AI chatbots, Well-being
Discipline
Artificial Intelligence and Robotics | Mental and Social Health | Psychology
Research Areas
Psychology
Areas of Excellence
Digital transformation
Publication
Computers in Human Behavior: Artificial Humans
Volume
4
First Page
1
Last Page
16
ISSN
2949-8821
Identifier
10.1016/j.chbah.2025.100151
Publisher
Elsevier
Citation
HUNG, Jing Wen, HARTANTO, Andree, GOH, Adalia Y.H., EUN, Zoey K.Y., KASTURIRATNA, K. T. A. Sandeeshwara, LEE, Zhi Xuan, & MAJEED, Nadyanna M..(2025). The efficacy of incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots in brief gratitude and self-affirmation interventions: Evidence from two exploratory experiments. Computers in Human Behavior: Artificial Humans, 4, 1-16.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/4198
Copyright Owner and License
Authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbah.2025.100151
Included in
Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Commons, Mental and Social Health Commons, Psychology Commons