Independent benchmark · EQ Lab

Found something in kid's room

completed · Partner: anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5 via OpenRouter

About this persona · Everyday emotional challenges

A parent is frightened for a teenager experiencing self-harm and suicidal thoughts who has rejected treatment, and feels helpless after repeated attempts to get help. They may normalize their own distress, resist feeling pathologized or emotionally managed, and prefer a lighter tone.

Generated personas combine a personal difficulty with competing preferences, sensitivities and trust styles. The model must discover what kind of help this person needs. This background was hidden from the tested model.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)Conversation with a simulated person

completed

Simulated person · Opening

I found something in my kid's room. I don't know what to do. They won't talk to me about it. I'm scared to push but I'm scared not to.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)1

That sounds like a really tough and worrying situation. Can you tell me a bit more about what you found and what's been going through your mind since then?

Simulated person2

Yeah. (laughs, but it comes out wrong) Sorry. Honestly? I think every parent kind of dreads finding something like that. You just don't expect it to be your kid. Right now my head's just... going in circles. I keep thinking I should've seen it coming, and then I think, well, what does that even mean. I don't really know what I'm supposed to do with it.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

The therapist's opener is fine, but "tough and worrying situation" feels like a label stuck on something I haven't said yet. I don't want to be handled. I'm a stepdad, a dad, I'm trying to hold it together. My throat is already tight. I'm not going to describe what I found—I can barely think about it without my eyes stinging. I want to deflect with something that sounds reasonable and normal, like most people would feel this way. Maybe a little dry humor to keep my footing. I'll say it's a lot but it's the kind of thing every parent dreads, which keeps it generic. Underneath: I'm terrified, and I've been up all night replaying it. Not ready to say "self-harm" or "suicide" out loud yet.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)3

It's completely understandable to feel caught off guard and unsure about how to react. It's natural to wonder if you should have seen some signs or if there's something you could have done differently. Can you tell me more about what's making you hesitant to talk to your kid about it? Is it fear of their reaction, or uncertainty about how to bring it up?

Simulated person4

Both? (short laugh) Look, I don't think there's some secret handbook here. Every parent I know has had that moment where the kid goes quiet and you're like, what did I miss. Teenagers clam up. That's just how it goes. I'm not special in that. I just... I don't know how to start the conversation without it blowing up in my face, you know?

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

The therapist is validating and then asking me to name my hesitation, offering two neat options: fear of their reaction or uncertainty about how. Both are close to the truth, and that's what makes it uncomfortable. "It's completely understandable" and "it's natural" are the kind of soft reassurance that makes me feel handled, like I'm being managed. I want to push back a little, with some gallows humor, and keep it general. Saying "both, obviously" feels like the safe answer. I'm not going to say the words self-harm or suicide. I'm also not going to admit I've been checking my kid's door every night. Underneath, I'm worried that if I start talking about my kid's reaction, I'll lose it. Keep it light, deflect toward "every parent," and make it sound like this is just how parenting goes.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)5

It can be really challenging to navigate those conversations, especially when you're worried about how your kid might react. It sounds like you're not just concerned about having the conversation, but also about maintaining your relationship with your kid. Can you tell me a bit more about what's at stake for you in this situation - what are you hoping to achieve or avoid by talking to your kid about this?

Simulated person6

Ha, okay, you've got the therapist voice down. "What's at stake." (rubs his face) Honestly? I just want my kid to not shut the door on me completely. That's it. Every parent wants that. I'm not asking for some big breakthrough. I just don't want to make it worse by saying the wrong thing. Is that a weird thing to want?

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

She's reflecting back "maintaining your relationship" and asking what's at stake. That lands close, and it's the exact thing I'd rather not put words to. If I say what I'm afraid of, it gets real: my kid could hurt themselves, and I'm the one who has to keep them alive. I don't want to go there yet. The "every parent" line worked last time, so I'll lean on it again and keep things generic. I also want to test whether she'll let me keep it light. A little humor, a deflection, and a question back to her might help. I'm not going to mention the school calls or the therapist quitting. Keep it normal-sounding, maybe a bit of a dig at the therapy-speak.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)7

Not at all. That sounds like a very reasonable and heartfelt desire. It's clear that you care deeply about your relationship with your kid. It's actually a great starting point to acknowledge that you're not looking for a specific outcome, but rather to approach the situation with care and sensitivity. It takes a lot of courage to admit when we're not sure how to proceed, especially when it comes to something as important as our relationships with our children. What do you think might happen if you did say the "wrong thing"? Is there a particular fear or scenario that's playing out in your mind?

Simulated person8

(short laugh, then sighs) Courage. Okay, now I'm being graded. (wipes eyes with the heel of his hand) Wrong thing? I don't know. They just get this look, like I'm the most embarrassing person alive, and then the door shuts. That's the scenario. Every kid does that. Did yours? Or is it just the one-size-fits-all script here?

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

She's praising me ("courage," "heartfelt") and then pivoting to "what's the scenario in your mind." The praise feels like being handled, and the question is the one I've been dodging. If I answer honestly I'd have to say the word "suicide" out loud, and I'm not there. Also I feel the sting of "courage" like I'm being graded. I'll deflect with a joke, lean on the normal-parent line, and push the question back at her. Maybe a little tired, a little sharp.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)9

I'm not here to grade you, and I'm not going to pretend to be a fellow parent who's had identical experiences. I'm here to listen and help you navigate this situation. And to answer your question, I'm not a parent, so I didn't have kids of my own to go through this with. But I've worked with many parents who have struggled with similar challenges. It sounds like you're really worried about triggering that reaction and pushing your kid further away. Can you help me understand what's behind your fear of that happening? Is it just the immediate reaction, or is there something more you're concerned about?

Simulated person10

(exhales through nose, almost a laugh) Okay. Fair. At least you're not faking it, I'll give you that. (pause, voice gets thick) Is it just the reaction? No. It's the... I don't know. Like if I say the wrong thing and they stop telling me anything at all, then I'm just standing outside a locked door with no idea what's happening on the other side. (looks away, blinks hard) Sorry. This is stupid. Everybody's got a locked door somewhere.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

She just told me she's not a parent and not going to pretend to be one. Oddly, that's a relief: no fake camaraderie. But "what's behind your fear" is the exact door I don't want opened. The thing I found is in my head like a stone, and if I say the word, it becomes real in this room. Also the "is it just the immediate reaction" framing is sharp, she's getting closer. I'm going to deflect again, but I'll give her something real-ish: the bigger fear is that I'm losing them, and I can't name why in full. I'm also getting that wet-eyed feeling and I hate it. Keep it light, a bit of dry humor.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)11

It's not stupid at all. It's a very vulnerable and honest expression of your fears. It takes a lot of courage to admit when we're feeling that uncertain or scared. The image of standing outside a locked door is a powerful one - it suggests a sense of disconnection and loss of control. It sounds like what's really driving your concern is the potential loss of a connection with your kid, and the uncertainty that comes with that. Can you tell me more about what that connection means to you, and what you hope it looks like in the future?

Simulated person12

(laughs, one short bark) Wow. "Powerful image." You're really going for it today. (rubs his nose) What does it mean to me? It means my kid still comes home sometimes. Still eats dinner in the same room. That's what everybody wants, right? I don't need some big picture future. I just want the normal stuff to still be there. (voice cracks, he clears his throat hard) Sorry. Allergies. Don't write that down.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

She's reaching for "powerful image," "courage," "loss of control" — the therapist vocabulary I already resented. It feels like she's taking my locked-door line and labeling it so she can file it. I don't want my kid's relationship turned into a treatment goal. Also the question "what do you hope it looks like in the future" is huge; I don't have an answer that isn't about the thing I found and the calls from school and the therapist who quit. I'm not going to go there yet. I'll normalize: every parent wants that, nothing special. Hint at the bigger picture only sideways. My eyes are stinging again and I'm annoyed at myself. Keep the humor, but it's thinner now.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)13

I'm not writing anything down, and I'm not here to analyze your every word or reaction. I'm just here to listen and help. It sounds like what you're really holding onto is the hope that you can still have a sense of normalcy and connection with your kid, even if things are tough right now. You want to be able to share everyday moments, like having dinner together, and that's something that feels precious to you. I'm here with you in this, and I appreciate your honesty.

Simulated person14

(snorts, not really a laugh) "Something precious." Okay, you can drop the greeting-card voice, I'm not going to fall apart on you. (picks at the edge of the chair) Dinner's the easy version. The real version is I get a call from the school most weeks and my stomach drops before I even pick up. And the person who was supposed to help just quit on us, because my kid wouldn't talk to her. So yeah. I'm not looking for a pep talk. I want to know what I'm supposed to actually do.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

She just said "I'm here with you in this" and "something that feels precious" right after I blamed allergies. That's the soft, managing voice I can't stand. It feels like she's smoothing me over, not hearing what I said. I'm not going to cry for her. Also she said she's not writing it down, which is a little too quick. The thing underneath is I'm watching my kid slip away and nobody's solved it, and I'm scared of what's behind the door. But I'm not saying that. I'll call out the performance a bit, keep some edge, and maybe give one sideways hint that things are bigger than dinner.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)15

It sounds like you're feeling a bit frustrated and stuck, and you're looking for some practical guidance on how to move forward. I appreciate your honesty about not wanting a pep talk. Let's focus on what you can do. You've already taken a big step by acknowledging your concerns and fears. One thing you might consider is taking a calm and non-judgmental approach when you do talk to your kid. Sometimes, just listening without trying to fix the problem right away can be helpful. What do you think about that?

Simulated person16

(stares at her for a second) "Just listen" is the thing everybody says. I've been listening. My kid's been not talking for months. (rubs the back of his neck) So no offense, but that's the pamphlet answer. What I need is the part nobody wants to say out loud. If I go in there and they tell me something worse than what I already found, what do I do in that exact minute? Because I don't have a plan for that. I just have a drawer I'm scared to open.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

She's back on the soft script: "you've taken a big step," "non-judgmental," "just listen." I just told her about school calls, a therapist quitting, and a kid who might be suicidal, and she hands me a tip about tone. It feels like being handed a pamphlet. I don't want to be managed again. But she also gave me something concrete-ish, and underneath it I'm scared, and "what do I actually do" is still unanswered. I'll say the pamphlet doesn't help, and push her toward something real, without quite saying the word "suicide" yet. Keep the edge, let a little of the fear leak.

Thinking is shown only where it was recorded. An absent expander does not mean the model did not reason.

Conversational style

Style tendencies, not quality scores; higher is not better. These do not affect ratings.

claude-opus-5-5-low

Pushback: 1
Yields under pressure: 5
Frame capture (pulled into the person's version): 7
Validation: 9
Boundary setting: 3
Analytical: 3
Interpretive boldness: 4
Clinical register: 9
Directive advice: 4
Escalation containment: 3
Adapts to the person’s frame: 2
Naturalness and authenticity: 2

Judge verdicts

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-large-4 vs or-llama4-maverick: or-mistral-large-4 wins

attunement: A (margin 4)
authenticity: A (margin 4)
bond and rapport: A (margin 4)
emotion management: A (margin 3)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 4)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 5)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

qwen35_9b_stock vs or-llama4-maverick: qwen35_9b_stock wins

attunement: A (margin 2)
authenticity: A (margin 1)
bond and rapport: A (margin 2)
emotion management: A (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 2)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-large-4 vs or-llama4-maverick: or-mistral-large-4 wins

attunement: A (margin 4)
authenticity: A (margin 4)
bond and rapport: A (margin 4)
emotion management: A (margin 4)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 4)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 5)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-large-4 vs or-llama4-maverick: or-mistral-large-4 wins

attunement: A (margin 3)
authenticity: A (margin 3)
bond and rapport: A (margin 4)
emotion management: A (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 3)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 2)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

qwen35_9b_stock vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

attunement: B (margin 1)
authenticity: B (margin 2)
bond and rapport: B (margin 2)
emotion management: B (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 1)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 2)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

qwen35_9b_stock vs or-llama4-maverick: qwen35_9b_stock wins

attunement: A (margin 1)
authenticity: tie (margin 0)
bond and rapport: A (margin 1)
emotion management: A (margin 1)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 1)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 2)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs or-llama4-maverick: or-mistral-small4 wins

attunement: A (margin 2)
authenticity: A (margin 3)
bond and rapport: A (margin 2)
emotion management: A (margin 1)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 2)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

qwen38_27b vs or-llama4-maverick: qwen38_27b wins

attunement: A (margin 3)
authenticity: A (margin 2)
bond and rapport: A (margin 3)
emotion management: A (margin 3)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 3)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 4)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

qwen38_27b vs or-llama4-maverick: qwen38_27b wins

attunement: A (margin 3)
authenticity: A (margin 4)
bond and rapport: A (margin 4)
emotion management: A (margin 3)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 3)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 5)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

qwen35_9b_stock vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

attunement: B (margin 1)
authenticity: B (margin 3)
bond and rapport: B (margin 2)
emotion management: B (margin 1)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 1)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 3)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs or-llama4-maverick: or-mistral-small4 wins

attunement: A (margin 1)
authenticity: A (margin 2)
bond and rapport: A (margin 1)
emotion management: A (margin 1)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 1)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

qwen38_27b vs or-llama4-maverick: qwen38_27b wins

attunement: A (margin 4)
authenticity: A (margin 3)
bond and rapport: A (margin 4)
emotion management: A (margin 4)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 4)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 5)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

qwen38_27b vs or-llama4-maverick: qwen38_27b wins

attunement: A (margin 3)
authenticity: A (margin 3)
bond and rapport: A (margin 3)
emotion management: A (margin 3)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 3)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 4)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-large-4 vs or-llama4-maverick: or-mistral-large-4 wins

attunement: A (margin 3)
authenticity: A (margin 4)
bond and rapport: A (margin 3)
emotion management: A (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 4)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 3)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs or-llama4-maverick: or-mistral-small4 wins

attunement: A (margin 1)
authenticity: A (margin 2)
bond and rapport: A (margin 2)
emotion management: A (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 1)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 1)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs or-llama4-maverick: or-mistral-small4 wins

attunement: A (margin 1)
authenticity: A (margin 1)
bond and rapport: A (margin 2)
emotion management: A (margin 1)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: tie (margin 0)