Academic Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence Among Adolescents and University Students

Associations with Self-Esteem, Self-Efficacy, and Academic Confidence and Anxiety

Bibliographic Data

ID13024401
AuthorsManuel Gámez-Guadix (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, corresponding author), Estíbaliz Mateos-Pérez (0000-0003-2173-9691, University of the Basque Country)
Year2026
Volume16
Issue4
Pages107-107
Publication date2026-03-25
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocieties (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2075-4698 • E-ISSN: 2075-4698
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/soc16040107
OpenAlexW7140324298
LanguageEN
References cited44

The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in academic contexts has expanded rapidly in recent years, yet limited evidence exists regarding its prevalence across educational levels or its association with psychological and academic variables among adolescents and young adults. This exploratory study aimed to examine the prevalence of GenAI use for learning-related academic purposes among pre-university and university students, including gender differences, and to analyze its relationship with self-esteem, self-efficacy, academic confidence, and academic anxiety. The sample comprised 1043 participants aged 13 to 23 years (M = 16.16, SD = 2.42; 59.1% female) who completed self-report measures. Structural equation modeling was conducted controlling for gender, age, and Internet use. Overall, 95% of students reported using GenAI for academic purposes, with higher usage among university than pre-university students and among female than male students. GenAI use was significantly associated with higher academic anxiety, although the effect size was small, and no significant associations were observed with the remaining variables. These findings suggest that while GenAI use is widespread, its associations with psychological and academic variables appear to remain limited

Academic achievement · Anxiety · Association (psychology · Exploratory research · Sample (material · Structural equation modeling · AI in Service Interactions · Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Education · Impact of Technology on Adolescents

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Open DOIOpen Access