Scaffolded Vulnerability: Chatbot-Mediated Reciprocal Self-Disclosure and Need-Supportive Interaction in Couples

2026-02-07

AI Summary

Existing digital tools struggle to effectively support the core psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness—central to Self-Determination Theory (SDT)—within intimate relationships, thereby limiting deep self-disclosure and emotional connection. This study addresses this gap by integrating SDT into the design of an AI-mediated conversational agent, proposing and empirically validating a dual-layer scaffolding chatbot: an instrumental layer that facilitates individual vulnerability expression and a relational layer that guides supportive partner responses. In a randomized controlled trial (N=72) assessed via validated psychological need scales, the dual-layer scaffold significantly enhanced perceived partner need support and intimacy. Instrumental support alone increased self-disclosure but did not improve interactive responsiveness. All interventions reduced controlled motivation, and the scaffolding effectively preserved participants’ vitality.

Technology Category

• Humans and AI: Interaction Techniques and Devices
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Social Cognition And Interaction
• Intelligent Robots: Human-Robot Interaction

Application Category

• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy
• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Assisted, interactive, and conversational search
• Semantics and Knowledge: Data modeling to support human-machine intelligence, including LLMs agents, intelligent system behavior, explanations, and user-friendly interactions

Abstract

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.

Problem

• reciprocal self-disclosure
• Self-Determination Theory
• need support
• chatbot-mediated interaction
• intimacy

Innovation

• scaffolded vulnerability
• self-determination theory
• reciprocal self-disclosure
• chatbot-mediated interaction
• need-supportive design