A Study of the Attitudinal Mechanisms Underlying Young Users’ Use of Chatbots for Emotional Support—A Qualitative Analysis Based on the ABC Attitude Model

Jing Li

doi:10.54254/2753-7048/2025.26570

Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public MediaOpen access

A Study of the Attitudinal Mechanisms Underlying Young Users’ Use of Chatbots for Emotional Support—A Qualitative Analysis Based on the ABC Attitude Model

Research Article

Open Access

A Study of the Attitudinal Mechanisms Underlying Young Users’ Use of Chatbots for Emotional Support—A Qualitative Analysis Based on the ABC Attitude Model

Jing Li ^1*

¹ Hangzhou Dianzi University

^*Corresponding author: 525279031@qq.com

Published on 9 September 2025

LNEP Vol.117

ISSN (Print): 2753-7056

ISSN (Online): 2753-7048

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-361-1

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-362-8

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Abstract

With the continuing rise in psychological stress among young people and the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence technologies, chatbots have gradually become a new channel for emotional expression and emotional support among youth. Drawing on the ABC Attitude Model, this study applies grounded theory to analyze semi-structured interview data from 17 young users aged 15–34, exploring their attitudinal structure and behavioral responses when using chatbots for emotional support. The findings show that young users exhibit both instrumental endorsement and emotional dependence on chatbots, while simultaneously maintaining vigilance and skepticism regarding their empathic capacity, response quality, and privacy/security—forming a contradictory attitude in which “dependence and vigilance” coexist. On this basis, users develop behavioral regulation strategies such as boundary setting and control of usage frequency. The article constructs an interactive mechanism of “cognition–ambivalent attitude–behavioral intention,” revealing a pattern of reflexive dependence in youths’ practices of digital emotional support, and providing theoretical references and practical implications for the design of AI affective products and for youth mental-health services.

Keywords:

Chatbot, Emotional Support, ABC Attitude Model, Young Users, Qualitative Research

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References

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References

[1]. Zeng, Y. B. (2025). The current situation and coping strategies of youth mental health issues. People’s Forum, 2025(8), 36–39.

[2]. Liu, P. Y., Liu, D., & Xie, D. J. (2025). Application of artificial intelligence in college students’ mental health counseling. Frontiers in Social Sciences, 14(4), 788–797.

[3]. Cave, S., & Dihal, K. (2023). Hopes and fears: Public attitudes towards AI in 2023. University of Cambridge.

[9]. Wu, L. N., Song, K., & Wang, S. H. (2024). Challenges and countermeasures of generative AI for personal information security. Information Communication Technology and Policy, 50(1), 13–18.

Cite this article

Li,J. (2025). A Study of the Attitudinal Mechanisms Underlying Young Users’ Use of Chatbots for Emotional Support—A Qualitative Analysis Based on the ABC Attitude Model. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,117,13-21.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Educational Innovation and Psychological Insights

ISBN: 978-1-80590-361-1(Print) / 978-1-80590-362-8(Online)

Editor: Kurt Buhring

Conference website: https://2025.iceipi.org/

Conference date: 20 August 2025

Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media

Volume number: Vol.117

ISSN: 2753-7048(Print) / 2753-7056(Online)

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