Virtual bonds, real well-being: A cognitive–affective perspective on the mechanisms linking perceived anthropomorphism, parasocial relationship, and subjective well-being

Driven by the ongoing evolution of artificial intelligence and digital media, virtual idols have garnered significant scholarly attention in recent years. Despite their pervasive adoption across digital media, systematic and dynamic accounts remain scarce regarding whether they influence psychological well-being in the same way as functional intelligent agents, and the specific internal mechanisms underlying such effects. Drawing on the Cognitive-Affective Processing System (CAPS) theory, this study employs partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to empirically validate the "situation-personality system-outcome" framework, specifically the complex mechanisms linking perceived anthropomorphism, parasocial relationships, and subjective well-being. Results reveal that while the direct effect of perceived anthropomorphism on subjective well-being is non-significant, affective attachment and self-expansion function as critical cognitive-affective units that mediate this process. Moreover, perceived authenticity exerts a negative moderating effect on specific pathways, challenging conventional pure technological determinism. By establishing a robust explanatory framework for digital affective ecology, this research demonstrates that the psychological bond between individuals and virtual idols is far more complex than simple linear stimulation. These findings not only provide a dynamic paradigm for understanding psychological mapping in digital mimicry but also offer essential theoretical foundations and practical implications for the moderate governance of digital affective ecology and the guidance of individual mental health.