Development and Validation of the Conversational AI Dependence Scale (CAID): A Dual-Dimensional Measure of Instrumental and Emotional Dependence

Conversational AI (CAI) has become widely embedded in daily life, raising concerns about excessive reliance on these systems. This study developed and validated the Conversational AI Dependence Scale (CAID), a novel two-dimensional measure assessing instrumental dependence and emotional dependence. Based on focus group interviews (N = 16), an initial pool of 42 items was generated and administered to self-identified CAI-dependent users (N = 589). Psychometric analyses supported a refined 14-item, two-factor structure. Criterion validity analyses (N = 986) revealed significant associations between the two dimensions of CAI dependence and key psychological constructs, including psychological distress, personality traits, and psychosocial constructs, and further revealed that these associations differ between the two dimensions. The CAID also exhibited strong correlations with existing CAI dependence measures, and hierarchical regression revealed its incremental predictive power. Overall, this study provides a foundation for future research on problematic CAI use and its psychological implications.