Emotional Support Mediates Self-Disclosure and Psychological Well-Being Among ChatGPT Users
Keywords:
self-disclosure, emotional support, psychological well-beingAbstract
Abstract. The use of ChatGPT as a medium for self-disclosure among young adults has become increasingly common, raising questions about its implications for users’ psychological well-being. This study aimed to examine the role of emotional support as a mediator in the relationship between self-disclosure and psychological well-being among young adult ChatGPT users in Bandung. Self-disclosure was measured using the Revised Self-Disclosure Scale (RSDS), translated and modified by Rohmah (2025). Emotional support was measured using an instrument developed by K. Zhang et al. (2025) and translated by the researchers, while psychological well-being was measured using a scale adapted by Humaidah & Mulyono (2025). The sample consisted of 305 young adult ChatGPT users in Bandung selected using convenience sampling.
The results showed that the self-disclosure dimensions of control of depth (p=0.000), accuracy (p = .010), and intent of disclosure (p=0.000) significantly influenced emotional support. Meanwhile, valence and intent of disclosure had significant direct effects on psychological well-being. Emotional support did not significantly influence psychological well-being (p = .245) and was not found to mediate the relationship between self-disclosure and psychological well-being. These findings indicate that emotional support perceived through interactions with ChatGPT does not necessarily contribute to psychological well-being.
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