The evidence behind the guides

Sources library

Browse by topic or search for a study, author or question. Open evidence notes to see what a source can—and cannot—tell us.

TopicCollection

Sources for AI companions as friends

1 source

Guide citations are still under editorial review.

Zhang, Zhao, Hancock, Kraut and Yang · Nature Human Behaviour 2026 Observational study

Interaction with AI companions and psychological well-being (original source, new tab)

Survey and donated chats from US adult Character.AI users; associations vary with social context and do not establish causation.

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