Scaffolded Vulnerability: Chatbot-Mediated Reciprocal Self-Disclosure and Need-Supportive Interaction in Couples
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arXiv
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| Autores principales: | , , , |
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| Formato: | Preprint |
| Publicado: |
2026
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| _version_ | 1866915784139210752 |
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| author | Jiang, Zhuoqun Yeo, ShunYi Herremans, Dorien Perrault, Simon Tangi |
| author_facet | Jiang, Zhuoqun Yeo, ShunYi Herremans, Dorien Perrault, Simon Tangi |
| contents | While reciprocal self-disclosure drives intimacy, digital tools seldom scaffold autonomy, competence, and relatedness -- the motivational underpinnings defined by Self-Determination Theory (SDT) that enable deep exchange. We introduce a chatbot employing dual-layer scaffolding to satisfy these needs: first providing enabling affordances (instrumental support) for vulnerability, then mediating affordances (relational support) for responsiveness. In a randomized study (N = 72; 36 couples) comparing Partner Support (PS: both layers), Direct Support (DS: enabling only), and Basic Prompt (BP: questions only), results reveal a critical distinction. While enabling affordances (PS, DS) were sufficient to deepen disclosure, only mediating affordances (PS) reliably elicited partner-provided need support and increased perceived closeness. Furthermore, controlled motivation decreased across conditions, and scaffolding buffered vitality, which remained stagnant in BP. We contribute empirical evidence that SDT-guided mediation fosters connection, offering a practical framework for designing AI-mediated conversations that support, rather than replace, human intimacy. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2602_07508 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Scaffolded Vulnerability: Chatbot-Mediated Reciprocal Self-Disclosure and Need-Supportive Interaction in Couples Jiang, Zhuoqun Yeo, ShunYi Herremans, Dorien Perrault, Simon Tangi Human-Computer Interaction While reciprocal self-disclosure drives intimacy, digital tools seldom scaffold autonomy, competence, and relatedness -- the motivational underpinnings defined by Self-Determination Theory (SDT) that enable deep exchange. We introduce a chatbot employing dual-layer scaffolding to satisfy these needs: first providing enabling affordances (instrumental support) for vulnerability, then mediating affordances (relational support) for responsiveness. In a randomized study (N = 72; 36 couples) comparing Partner Support (PS: both layers), Direct Support (DS: enabling only), and Basic Prompt (BP: questions only), results reveal a critical distinction. While enabling affordances (PS, DS) were sufficient to deepen disclosure, only mediating affordances (PS) reliably elicited partner-provided need support and increased perceived closeness. Furthermore, controlled motivation decreased across conditions, and scaffolding buffered vitality, which remained stagnant in BP. We contribute empirical evidence that SDT-guided mediation fosters connection, offering a practical framework for designing AI-mediated conversations that support, rather than replace, human intimacy. |
| title | Scaffolded Vulnerability: Chatbot-Mediated Reciprocal Self-Disclosure and Need-Supportive Interaction in Couples |
| topic | Human-Computer Interaction |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.07508 |