Narcissistic traits and emotional dependence on large language models among adolescents

Abstract

Background: This study examined associations between narcissistic traits and emotional dependence on large language models (LLMs) among adolescents, focusing on anxiety and physical activity.

Methods: A multistage stratified sample of 1622 Chinese junior high school students was surveyed in November 2025. Narcissistic traits, anxiety, LLM emotional dependence, and physical activity were assessed using the FFNI-SF, GAD-2, an adapted five-item LLM emotional dependence measure, and PARS-3, respectively. Pearson correlations and PROCESS Models 4 and 7 with 5,000 bootstrap resamples were conducted, with Johnson–Neyman analysis used to probe the interaction.

Results: Narcissistic traits correlated positively with anxiety (r=0.118, P<0.001) and LLM emotional dependence (r=0.301, P<0.001), while anxiety correlated positively with LLM emotional dependence (r=0.146, P<0.001). Physical activity correlated negatively with anxiety (r=−0.119, P<0.001) and LLM emotional dependence (r=−0.075, P = 0.002). Adjusting for grade and left-behind status, anxiety showed a small indirect association between narcissistic traits and LLM emotional dependence (Effect=0.011, 95% CI [0.004, 0.020]). The narcissistic traits × physical activity interaction was significant (β=−0.056, P = 0.015), with the narcissism–anxiety association significant below 0.73 SD of physical activity. The moderated mediation index was not significant (Index=−0.0061, 95% bootstrap CI [−0.0130, 0.0001]).

Conclusion: Narcissistic traits were positively associated with adolescent LLM emotional dependence, with a small cross-sectional indirect association through anxiety. Physical activity moderated the narcissism–anxiety association, although overall moderated mediation was not supported.

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BibTeX RIS

BibTeX

@article{zhao2026narcissistic,
  title = {{Narcissistic traits and emotional dependence on large language models among adolescents}},
  author = {Yihang Zhao and Mengyue Xu and Ning Wang and Yang Liu and Hong Wang},
  journal = {Frontiers in psychiatry},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1958023},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13690931},
  note = {CC BY},
}

RIS

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Narcissistic traits and emotional dependence on large language models among adolescents
AU  - Yihang Zhao
AU  - Mengyue Xu
AU  - Ning Wang
AU  - Yang Liu
AU  - Hong Wang
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/09
JO  - Frontiers in psychiatry
DO  - 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1958023
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13690931
AB  - Background: This study examined associations between narcissistic traits and emotional dependence on large language models (LLMs) among adolescents, focusing on anxiety and physical activity.  Methods: A multistage stratified sample of 1622 Chinese junior high school students was surveyed in November 2025. Narcissistic traits, anxiety, LLM emotional dependence, and physical activity were assessed using the FFNI-SF, GAD-2, an adapted five-item LLM emotional dependence measure, and PARS-3, respectively. Pearson correlations and PROCESS Models 4 and 7 with 5,000 bootstrap resamples were conducted, with Johnson–Neyman analysis used to probe the interaction.  Results: Narcissistic traits correlated positively with anxiety (r=0.118, P&lt;0.001) and LLM emotional dependence (r=0.301, P&lt;0.001), while anxiety correlated positively with LLM emotional dependence (r=0.146, P&lt;0.001). Physical activity correlated negatively with anxiety (r=−0.119, P&lt;0.001) and LLM emotional dependence (r=−0.075, P = 0.002). Adjusting for grade and left-behind status, anxiety showed a small indirect association between narcissistic traits and LLM emotional dependence (Effect=0.011, 95% CI [0.004, 0.020]). The narcissistic traits × physical activity interaction was significant (β=−0.056, P = 0.015), with the narcissism–anxiety association significant below 0.73 SD of physical activity. The moderated mediation index was not significant (Index=−0.0061, 95% bootstrap CI [−0.0130, 0.0001]).  Conclusion: Narcissistic traits were positively associated with adolescent LLM emotional dependence, with a small cross-sectional indirect association through anxiety. Physical activity moderated the narcissism–anxiety association, although overall moderated mediation was not supported.
SN  - 1664-0640
ER  -

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