Advisers

Maria Regina V Baluyut

Discipline

Mental Health

Abstract

With the growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into everyday life, its impact on students' mental health and ethical awareness has become an important area of study. This research focused on second-year psychology students and examines the relationship between their perceptions of AI and their mental well-being, using the Kessler-6 (K6) psychological distress scale. It also explores the ethical considerations students encounter when interacting with AI tools. The findings aim to support the development of an awareness program that promotes the responsible, ethical, and mindful use of AI in academic environments. A quantitative research design was used to gather and analyze numerical data using two structured survey questionnaires that assessed perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI), mental health status, and ethical concerns. The respondents were purposively selected second-year psychology students from Bestlink College of the Philippines. A 4-point Likert scale was employed to gauge the level of agreement with various statements. The study followed a descriptive-correlational design to explore the relationship between students’ perceptions of AI and their psychological well-being, as measured by the Kessler-6 (K6) psychological distress scale. The study revealed a growing reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) among students as a means of managing academic stress and supporting emotional well-being. Participants’ perceptions of AI were found to significantly influence their usage patterns and attitudes toward these tools. A moderate positive correlation emerged between favorable AI perceptions and higher mental health scores, indicating that students with a more positive outlook on AI tend to experience better psychological well-being. This correlation was statistically significant, reinforcing the reliability of the association. However, it is important to note that the findings do not establish a causal relationship between AI perception and mental health, but rather suggest a meaningful link worth further exploration. The study underscores both the advantages and challenges of AI use among second-year psychology students. While AI aids in reducing academic stress by improving task efficiency, it can also lead to overdependence and reduced critical thinking. In contrast, students who avoid AI often develop stronger cognitive skills through traditional study methods, though with greater effort. These findings suggest the need for balanced AI usage. Academic institutions should implement clear guidelines to help students use AI effectively while preserving mental well-being, ethical judgment, and independent learning.

Keywords

college students, academic stress, mental health, psychological well-being, artificial intelligence (ai), ethical awareness