Will you accept a virtual human as a friend? Exploring the role of virtual humans in mood management and mental health support

The study highlights the potential of virtual humans to assist with mood management on social media platforms, indicating that they could serve a practical role in psychological well-being. While the current study suggests that virtual humans are seen as useful for therapeutic purposes, challenges remain in helping users envision them in this role. Future research should address these challenges by exploring the nuances of user interaction with virtual humans and examining their potential to make a broader social impact, especially in the fields of mental health care and personalized customer service.