Loneliness and problematic use of conversational artificial intelligence among college students: the serial mediating roles of social anxiety and self-control

Objectives

Loneliness is an important public health concern associated with individuals' physical and mental wellbeing. As conversational artificial intelligence (CAI) becomes more widely used, concerns about its problematic use have attracted increasing attention. However, the link between loneliness and problematic use of conversational artificial intelligence (PUCAI) remains insufficiently understood. The current research explored the link between loneliness and PUCAI among college students, with social anxiety and self-control evaluated as serial mediators. These findings provide preliminary empirical insight into the psychological correlates of PUCAI and may inform future research and educational efforts aimed at promoting healthy and responsible CAI use.