The role of AI Chatbots in providing mental health support: emotional perception, human-AI interaction, and ethical implications

This study investigates the role of AI chatbots in providing mental health support, focusing on emotional perception, human-AI interaction, and ethical implications. The research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of AI chatbots in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, enhance emotional intelligence, and explore ethical concerns related to data security and emotional dependency. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative measures (PHQ-9 for depression, GAD-7 for anxiety, and emotional intelligence assessments) with qualitative data from participant interviews. Results show a significant reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms after a 4-week AI chatbot intervention