{
  "abstract": "Background. Dependence on generative and conversational artificial intelligence (AI) is measured with diverse instruments spanning addiction criteria, task reliance, and emotional bonding. No meta-analysis has pooled its psychological correlates across populations.\n\nMethods. We conducted a pre-registered three-level meta-analysis (Zenodo: 10.5281/zenodo.23420672) searching eight electronic databases and citations of instrument papers on 16 October 2026, with citation chasing. Zero-order correlations were pooled using correlated and hierarchical effects models on Fisher's z with cluster-robust inference (CR2). Scale type (T1 addiction-type, T2 functional, T3 emotional, T4 mixed) was the primary moderator. Certainty was rated via GRADE.\n\nResults. We included 127 samples (123 studies; N = 74,492; 29 countries; 70% university students; 39% mainland China). AI dependence correlated moderately with anxiety (r = 0.37, 95% CI [0.25, 0.48]), stress (r = 0.35 [0.25, 0.43]), depression (r = 0.32 [0.21, 0.42]), social anxiety (r = 0.36 [0.17, 0.53]), loneliness (r = 0.28 [0.18, 0.38]), and procrastination (r = 0.26 [0.12, 0.40]), and weakly and inversely with self-esteem (r = −0.18 [−0.35, −0.00]). All 95% prediction intervals crossed zero. Addiction-type and mixed scales showed no detectable difference; functional and emotional scales were rarely paired with clinical outcomes. Certainty was low to very low.\n\nConclusions. AI dependence moderately correlates with distress and self-regulation difficulties, but prediction intervals cross zero and evidence certainty is low. Functional and emotional dependence have rarely been studied alongside clinical outcomes.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Turan University"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 1,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Martin Rekhert",
      "orcid": "0009-0001-2402-2031"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/67t0jvse6m5fz.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.5281/zenodo.23449099",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "67t0jvse6m5fz",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://zenodo.org/records/23449099",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": "https://zenodo.org/api/records/23449099/files/Rekhert_2026_ai_dependence_correlates_preprint.pdf/content",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-18",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/67t0jvse6m5fz.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-01T12:21:16Z",
      "native_id": "23449099",
      "source": "zenodo",
      "url": "https://zenodo.org/records/23449099"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [],
  "title": "Psychological correlates of dependence on generative and conversational AI: a systematic review and meta-analysis",
  "title_text": "Psychological correlates of dependence on generative and conversational AI: a systematic review and meta-analysis",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-01T12:21:16Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/67t0jvse6m5fz",
  "venue": "Zenodo",
  "versions": []
}