Addressing loneliness and psychological distress in older adults through an AI chatbot companion: a longitudinal study in Pekanbaru

This study examined the effectiveness of an AI chatbot companion in reducing loneliness and improving psychological well-being among elderly individuals in Pekanbaru, Indonesia. A longitudinal mixed-methods design was employed with 68 participants aged 60 years and above. The intervention used a culturally adapted AI chatbot designed to provide emotional, informational, and instrumental support aligned with Islamic values and local norms. The UCLA Loneliness Scale (8-item) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) were administered at baseline and follow-up to measure changes in loneliness and psychological distress. Findings revealed a significant decrease in loneliness scores and improved DASS outcomes after sustained chatbot interaction. Participants, especially those who had experienced bereavement or social isolation, described the chatbot as a comforting and responsive companion that emulated human-like interaction. The results indicate that a culturally sensitive AI chatbot can serve as an effective intervention to reduce loneliness and enhance mental well-being among older adults in Indonesia. Future studies should expand sample diversity, refine chatbot design to minimise bias and hallucination, and strengthen human oversight for ethical implementation.Preregistration: This study is not preregistered.