Advisers

Michael L. Bersamin, LPT

Discipline

Psychology

Abstract

The increasing accessibility of artificial intelligence tools has changed not only how students accomplish academic tasks but also how they manage their emotions. Among working psychology students, balancing academic demands and employment responsibilities may intensify stress, which can influence how emotions are expressed or suppressed. This study examined the impact of using ChatGPT as ranting outlet on face-to-face emotional suppression among working psychology students at Bestlink College of the Philippines. Guided by the Online Disinhibition Effect Theory, the research aimed to determine whether digital emotional expression through ChatGPT reduces or reinforces emotional suppression in real-life interactions. A quantitative comparative research design was utilized. One hundred (100) working psychology students were selected through purposive sampling. Data were gathered using a researcher-made questionnaire measuring the six factors of the Online Disinhibition Effect (dissociative anonymity, invisibility, asynchronicity, solipsistic introjection, dissociative imagination, and minimization of status and authority), along with the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) to assess emotional suppression. Statistical tools such as frequency, percentage, weighted mean, standard deviation, Pearson correlation, and Spearman’s rho were applied to analyze the data. Results revealed that respondents demonstrated a very high level of emotion regulation, with stronger reliance on cognitive reappraisal than expressive suppression. The six online disinhibition factors were rated at an average level, indicating a moderate influence on emotional expression. Findings showed that while ChatGPT provides a comfortable and less judgmental space for venting, it does not strongly reinforce emotional dependence or significantly increase face-to-face emotional suppression. A significant relationship was identified between selected online disinhibition factors and emotional suppression. The study concludes that ChatGPT can function as supportive emotional outlet for working students when used moderately. However, reliance on digital venting should be balanced with healthy face-to-face emotional expression. The findings may guide educators, counselors, and administrators in developing emotionally responsive policies and digital well-being programs.

Keywords

ChatGPT, Working Students, Emotion Regulation, Ranting Outlet, Emotional Suppression, Online Disinhibition Effect, Digital Emotional Expression