AI Use, Relationships, and Adjustment
AI-generated illustrative image
College students may use generative artificial intelligence (GAI) for academic tasks, everyday advice, or conversations about personal concerns. For some, these conversations may also provide a sense of companionship or emotional support. This project examines how these uses of GAI fit into students’ social lives and relate to their psychological well-being.
Using a longitudinal survey design, this project examines college students’ experiences with GAI and their social and emotional adjustment over time. Our U.S. study focuses on students aged 18-29 years. We aim to understand how students interact with GAI, disclose personal experiences, develop emotional connections with AI, and how these experiences relate to their interpersonal relationships and psychological well-being. By conducting surveys, we explore how students’ AI engagement and adjustment may shape one another over time.
Through this research, we hope to better understand when and for whom GAI use may be helpful or associated with difficulties. Findings may help educators and student-support staff address the role of GAI in students’ everyday lives, relationships, and well-being.