AI Chatbot Dependence as an Indirect Link Between Social Anxiety and Psychological Resilience: The Moderating Role of Perceived Social Support

Generative artificial intelligence has transformed AI chatbots into systems that can provide information, emotional feedback, and social interaction. Although prior research has examined AI adoption, trust, and continuance intention, less is known about sustained reliance on AI chatbots and its relationship with psychological adaptation. Drawing on an integrated compensation–resource framework, this study examined whether social anxiety was indirectly associated with psychological resilience through AI chatbot dependence and whether this association varied across levels of perceived social support. Cross-sectional survey data from 395 adult AI chatbot users recruited through an online survey platform in China were analyzed using regression-based path analysis and PROCESS Model 7. Social anxiety was positively associated with AI chatbot dependence and negatively associated with psychological resilience, while AI chatbot dependence was negatively associated with resilience after accounting for social anxiety. A small but statistically significant negative indirect association was observed through AI chatbot dependence. Higher perceived social support was associated with a weaker social anxiety–dependence association and a smaller negative indirect association. This buffering pattern was statistically significant but modest and weakened rather than eliminated the indirect association. These findings identify a context-specific pattern of statistical associations in human–AI interaction while underscoring the need for longitudinal research to establish temporal and causal direction.