• Vibha Baliga J R

Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT are increasingly used for emotional support, yet it is unclear whether this helps people regulate emotions or leads to dependency. This cross-sectional survey of 62 young adults in Bengaluru who had used AI for emotional venting measured use of AI for venting, emotional regulation, and emotional dependency through a purpose-built web application. All three scales showed good to excellent reliability (α = .879 to .946). Most respondents reported low use, regulation, and dependency. Greater use of AI for venting was strongly associated with higher regulation (rₛ = .657, p < .001) and higher dependency (rₛ = .649, p < .001), and regulation and dependency were very strongly related (rₛ = .779, p < .001). Moderate or high dependency was confined to a minority, nearly all of whom also reported moderate or high regulation. The benefits of AI venting and the risk of reliance appear to rise together.

AI companionship, emotional venting, emotional regulation, emotional dependency, young adults

"Generative AI-Based Emotional Venting and Its Relationship with Emotional Regulation and Emotional Dependency Among Urban Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 10, page no.c610-c612, October-2026, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2610266.pdf

"Generative AI-Based Emotional Venting and Its Relationship with Emotional Regulation and Emotional Dependency Among Urban Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 10, page no. ppc610-c612, October-2026, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2610266.pdf