When in need of emotional support, human or AI? An exploratory study on Chinese women's selection mechanism of emotional information sources
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47989/ir31iConf64229Keywords:
Generative AI, Information source selection, Emotional interaction, Human-AI interaction, Chinese womenAbstract
Introduction. This study aims to unveil the selection mechanism of information sources among female users for their emotional information needs, exploring the specific role GenAI plays in their existing emotional support network.
Method. Adopting a phased qualitative approach of netnography followed by semi-structured interviews, this research collected rich narrative data from 17 Chinese female users.
Analysis. The data was analysed using thematic analysis, focusing on three core evaluation dimensions for information source selection: accessibility, interactivity, and the crucial aspect of credibility.
Results. The findings reveal that GenAI is regarded as an ‘emotional sanctuary’ to avoid interpersonal risks and satisfy intra-psychic needs. In contrast, while human sources offer deeper emotional resonance and social connection, they are often associated with higher intra-psychic risks. GenAI and human sources play complementary roles.
Conclusion(s). The constructed ‘perceived benefits and risks assessment model’ visually elucidates this selection mechanism, providing a new theoretical reference for understanding emerging human-AI emotional interactive relationships.
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