Abstract
With the ever-increasing adoption of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) chatbots in diverse communication roles, there is a burgeoning need to address how people process and respond to messages from these technologies. This study explores the theoretical mechanisms by which the use of GenAI chatbots influences persuasive outcomes related to mental health, examining perceived message contingency and cognitive elaboration as mediators, and issue involvement as a moderator between the two mediators. Through an experimental setting using ChatGPT, compared to non-conversational online resources, we discovered that GenAI chatbot use led to greater cognitive elaboration through an increased sense of message contingency, leading to greater mental health self-efficacy. The influence of perceived message contingency on cognitive elaboration was more pronounced among participants with higher issue involvement.
DOI
10.30658/hmc.11.7
Recommended Citation
Kim, H., & Wang, Y. (2025). Investigating the persuasive potential of communicating with generative artificial intelligence chatbots for mental health: The roles of perceived message contingency, cognitive elaboration, and issue involvement. Human-Machine Communication, 11, 127–144. https://doi.org/10.30658/hmc.11.7
Included in
Communication Technology and New Media Commons, Health Communication Commons, Other Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons
Accessibility Statement
This item was created or digitized prior to April 24, 2027, or is a reproduction of legacy media created before that date. It is preserved in its original, unmodified state specifically for research, reference, or historical recordkeeping. In accordance with the ADA Title II Final Rule, the University Libraries provides accessible versions of archival materials upon request. To request an accommodation for this item, please submit an accessibility request form.
Submit Article
This journal supports Open Science Badges
