Content analysis of 354 AI-generated 'psychological healing' videos on Douyin and interviews with 30 viewers found hand-drawn imagery, warm colours, fantasy transformations and formulaic patterns. Simpler atmosphere-first videos drew more interaction, and some users watched during anxiety or insomnia for brief relief. This describes Chinese media experience; it does not measure symptoms or establish mental-health treatment.
Key findings
- Typical videos used hand-drawn animation, warm tones, a safe atmosphere and fantasy such as biological transformation or material substitution. Abstract, atmosphere-first videos received higher interaction. Interviewees described purposeful viewing during anxiety or insomnia and algorithmic matching for brief, controllable relief.
Why this matters globally
Low-cost AI media can scale globally and may support digital wellbeing, but engagement is not health outcome. Governance should distinguish relaxation content from therapy claims, disclose AI use and provide pathways to care when risk is present.
Thai researcher contribution
A coauthor listed Krirk University and Beijing Normal University. The Thai link is collaborative analysis of Chinese digital-health media; the platform and sample were not Thai.
Limitations to consider
The study covers only Douyin and a researcher-defined video category. Thirty interviewees were small and self-selected. Interaction depends on followers and algorithms and is not stress reduction. There was no baseline, control, validated symptom scale or follow-up; relief may reflect distraction, placebo or desirability.