A Meta-Analysis of Artificial Intelligence Technologies Use and Loneliness: Examining the Influence of Physical Embodiment, Age Differences, and Effect Direction
Abstract
Recent research has investigated the connection between artificial intelligence (AI) utilization and feelings of loneliness, yielding inconsistent outcomes. This meta-analysis aims to clarify this relationship by synthesizing data from 47 relevant studies across 21 publications. Findings indicate a generally significant positive correlation between AI use and loneliness ( r = 0.163, p r = -0.266, p = 0.088), whereas engagement with physically disembodied AI is significantly linked to increased loneliness ( r = 0.352, p r = 0.352, p r = 0.039, p = 0.659) in younger individuals (aged 35 and below). Furthermore, by incorporating positive attitudes toward AI, the study reveals that the influence of AI use in exacerbating loneliness outweighs the reverse impact, although both directions show significant positive relationships. These results enhance the understanding of how AI usage relates to loneliness and provide practical insights for addressing loneliness through AI technologies.
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Dong et al.'s meta-analysis of 21 papers found positive bi-directional effects between LLM-CB use and loneliness.
“In addition, Dong et al. conducted a meta-analysis on the association between LLM-CB use and loneliness across 21 papers, finding positive bi-directional effects between LLM-CB use and loneliness108.”
From A scoping review on the mental health harms of LLM-based chatbots (2026) · cites this paper as [108]
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The compassion illusion: can artificial empathy ever be emotionally authentic?
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A scoping review on the mental health harms of LLM-based chatbots
Diel, A., Torous, J., Cuijpers, P., Kleesiek, J., Nensa, F., Weber, N., Faust, F., Lalgi, T. J., Mellis, F. S., Teufel, M., et al. (2026) · npj Digital Medicine · doi:10.1038/s41746-026-03054-x · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“In addition, Dong et al. conducted a meta-analysis on the association between LLM-CB use and loneliness across 21 papers, fi nding positive bi-directional effects between LLM-CB use and loneliness 108 .”
- Authors
- Dong, X., Xie, J., & Gong, H.
- Affiliations
- Renmin University of China (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Gong, He
- ORCID
- Gong, He
- Venue
- Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2025-04-01
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 233-242
- ISSN
- 2152-2715 (ISSN-L)
- 2152-2723
- OpenAlex
- W4407190316
- Cited by
- 22
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 17 · 2025: 5
- FWCI
- 4.28
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Social Robot Interaction and HRI
- Social Sciences › Demography › Technology Use by Older Adults
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
- Keywords
- artificial intelligence use, loneliness, embodied AI, older adults, age differences, attitudes toward AI, direction of effect, social isolation
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Artificial Intelligence, Humans, Loneliness, Middle Aged
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