{"ID":2897054,"CreatedAt":"2026-06-01T04:54:23.091178241Z","UpdatedAt":"2026-06-01T04:54:23.091178241Z","DeletedAt":null,"paper_url":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.05984","arxiv_id":"2507.05984","title":"Development and Evaluation of HopeBot: an LLM-based chatbot for structured and interactive PHQ-9 depression screening","abstract":"Static tools like the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) effectively screen depression but lack interactivity and adaptability. We developed HopeBot, a chatbot powered by a large language model (LLM) that administers the PHQ-9 using retrieval-augmented generation and real-time clarification. In a within-subject study, 132 adults in the United Kingdom and China completed both self-administered and chatbot versions. Scores demonstrated strong agreement (ICC = 0.91; 45% identical). Among 75 participants providing comparative feedback, 71% reported greater trust in the chatbot, highlighting clearer structure, interpretive guidance, and a supportive tone. Mean ratings (0-10) were 8.4 for comfort, 7.7 for voice clarity, 7.6 for handling sensitive topics, and 7.4 for recommendation helpfulness; the latter varied significantly by employment status and prior mental-health service use (p \u003c 0.05). Overall, 87.1% expressed willingness to reuse or recommend HopeBot. These findings demonstrate voice-based LLM chatbots can feasibly serve as scalable, low-burden adjuncts for routine depression screening.","short_abstract":"Static tools like the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) effectively screen depression but lack interactivity and adaptability. We developed HopeBot, a chatbot powered by a large language model (LLM) that administers the PHQ-9 using retrieval-augmented generation and real-time clarification. In a within-subject stu...","url_abs":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.05984","url_pdf":"https://arxiv.org/pdf/2507.05984v2","authors":"[\"Zhijun Guo\",\"Alvina Lai\",\"Julia Ive\",\"Alexandru Petcu\",\"Yutong Wang\",\"Luyuan Qi\",\"Johan H Thygesen\",\"Kezhi Li\"]","published":"2025-07-08T13:41:22Z","proceeding":"cs.AI","tasks":"[\"cs.AI\",\"cs.CL\",\"cs.HC\"]","methods":"[\"RAG\",\"Large Language Model\",\"Language Model\"]","has_code":false}