"I Could Practice Flirting Without Pressure": A Proof-of-Concept Study of an AI Chatbot-Assisted Intervention for Men...

Amid rising global rates of loneliness and romantic distress, many individuals seek connection with romantic chatbots-AI-driven companions designed to simulate intimate interactions. Although chatbot-assisted interventions have shown promise in mental health care, their therapeutic potential for addressing romantic distress remains largely underexplored. Men experiencing involuntary singlehood often report elevated psychological, relational, and sexual distress, yet many avoid conventional therapy, underscoring the need for innovative, accessible interventions. This mixed-methods proof-of-concept study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, adequacy, and preliminary effects of a one-session therapist-guided chatbot intervention targeting involuntary singlehood-related distress. Thirty-two Canadian men reporting involuntary singlehood completed a three-level intervention program based on a romantic chatbot simulating dating app interactions: (1) initiating contact, (2) practicing self-disclosure, and (3) navigating romantic rejection. Outcomes were assessed using validated measures of relational, psychological, and sexual distress at baseline (T1), one-month (T2), and three-month (T3) post-intervention follow-ups, while acceptability and adequacy were assessed during and immediately following the intervention through standardized instruments and open-ended questions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, repeated-measures ANOVAs, and qualitative content analysis. Significant reductions were observed in relational, psychological, and sexual distress (moderate-to-large effect sizes). Most participants rated the intervention format as appropriate and found the chatbot interactions realistic, reflective of real-life romantic challenges, and beneficial for developing romantic skills. These findings suggest that this chatbot-assisted intervention may hold promise in accompanying individuals navigating involuntary singlehood. Future randomized controlled trials need to confirm its clinical effects, optimize its technical architecture and therapeutic delivery (e.g., through modules tailored to individual needs), and assess skill transfer to real-life contexts.