Exploring the use of AI text-to-image generation to downregulate negative emotions in an expressive writing application

Abstract

Conventional writing therapies are versatile, accessible and easy to facilitate online, but often require participants to self-disclose traumatic experiences. To make expressive writing therapies safer for online, unsupervised environments, we explored the use of text-to-image generation as a means to downregulate negative emotions during a fictional writing exercise. We developed a writing tool, StoryWriter, that uses Generative Adversarial Network models to generate artwork from users’ narratives in real time. These images were intended to positively distract users from their negative emotions throughout the writing task. In this paper, we report the outcomes of two user studies: Study 1 ( N = 388), which experimentally examined the efficacy of this application via negative versus neutral emotion induction and image generation versus no image generation control groups; and Study 2 ( N = 54), which qualitatively examined open-ended feedback. Our results are heterogeneous: both studies suggested that StoryWriter somewhat contributed to improved emotion outcomes for participants with pre-existing negative emotions, but users’ open-ended responses indicated that these outcomes may be adversely modulated by the generated images, which could undermine the therapeutic benefits of the writing task itself.

Behavioral health and generative AI: a perspective on future of therapies and patient care

“…In the context of the discussed use case, one limitation is the potential for generated images to lack authenticity and genuine emotional resonance. While GAI may be capable of producing visually and esthetically appealing images, it may struggle to capture or represent the necessary subtleties and complexities of human emotions accurately 60 , and it might lack the nuanced understanding and empathy that human therapists provide 61 . Therefore, unsupervised GAI applications (e.g., self-generated images, text, and audio) may currently pose a challenge and risk to be used in multimodal therapy delivery.…”

A narrative perspective on peer-to-peer support websites for young people : effects of writing and reading personal narratives

“…We found only one article that examined the effect of text-to-image AI generators in combination with an online expressive writing tool to downregulate negative emotions (Azuaje et al, 2023). The researchers developed a writing tool called 'StoryWriter' that generated a visual representation of users' narratives in realtime.…”