Influence Of Artificial Intelligence On Psychological Well-Being Of Undergraduate Students In Public Universities In North-Central Nigeria
Gidado, Bello Kumo
Department of Educational Foundations, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
Apeh, Hosea Abalaka
Department of Educational Foundations, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
Diffang, Abel Dayo
Department of Educational Foundations, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
Abstract
This study explored influence of artificial intelligence on psychological well-being of undergraduate students in public universities in North-central Nigeria. six objectives, two research questions and four hypotheses guided the study. Descriptive and correlational survey research designs were employed for the study. The population of the study comprised of 234,650 full-time undergraduates’ in all public universities in the study area. A sample of 384 undergraduates were selected for the study. A multi-stage sampling procedure which included, purposive sampling technique, simple random sampling technique and proportionate procedure were employed for the study. Two questionnaires which were validated by experts in the Faculty of Education, University of Abuja were used for data collection. The reliability of the questionnaires was determined using Cronbach Alpha statistics which yielded reliability indexes of 0.74 and 0.89. The data collected was analysed using mean score and standard deviation for research questions while hypotheses were tested using PPMCC, simple regression and Independent samples t-test. The findings amongst others revealed high extent of utilisation of artificial intelligence related tools for academic activities by undergraduate students in public universities in North-central Nigeria. The finding also indicated a significant relationship between artificial intelligence usage and psychological well-being of undergraduate students. It was recommended amongst others that, academics should monitor, educate and guide undergraduates on the proper utilisation of AI related tools and discourage its overreliance for academic related activities. Lecturers, parents and guardians should encourage students to limit or possibly avoid any screen ray be it laptop or android devices before bedtime, while also prioritising at least 7-8 hours’ sleep at night among undergraduates in public universities in North-central Nigeria.
References
Abbas, M., Jam, F. A., & Khan, T. I. (2024). Is it harmful or helpful? Examining the causes and consequences of generative AI usage among university students. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education. Https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-024-00444-7
Ajayi, O. S. (2020). Academic self-efcacy, gender and academic procrastination. Epiphany. Journal of Transdisciplinary Studies, 13(1), 75–84. https://doi.org/10.21533/epiphany.v13i1.324
Alabdulkareem, S., & Alzahrani, R. (2022). Digital stress and the impact of AI on well-being: A comprehensive review. Journal of Behavioral Health, 21(2), 130-145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbh.2022.05.003
Amoke, C. V., Ede, M. O., Umeano, C. E., Okeke, C. I., Onah, S. O., Ezeah, M. A., & Nwaogaidu, J. C. (2021). Interaction efect of gender on academic procrastination and achievement orientation among in-school adolescents. International Journal of Higher Education, 10(6), 202–212. https://doi.org/10.5430/ijhe.v1v10n6p202
Asenahabi, B. M. (2019). Basics of Research Design: A Guide to selecting appropriate research design. International Journal of Contemporary Applied Researches. Vol. 6, No. 5 (ISSN: 2308-1365).
Aung, Z. H., Sanium, S., Songsaksuppachok, C., Kusakunniran, W., Precharattana, M., Chuechote, S., Pongsanon, K., & Ritthipravat, P. (2022). Designing a novel teaching platform for AI: A case study in a Thai school context. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 38(6), 1714–1729. Https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12706
Bankawat, S. (2024). Investigating the Relationship Between Social Media Use, Procrastination and Academic Performance. The International Journal of Indian Psychology. DOI: 10.25215/1202.381
Bhandari, P. (2023). Correlational Research/When & How to Use. Scribbr. Retrieved from https:www.scribber.com/methodology/research/
Bibire, A.H. (2020). Effects of social networking sites usage on psychological well-being of undergraduates in Nigerian universities. International Journal of Social Sciences and Education Research, 6(4), 460-471. ISSN: 2149-5939.
Burke, M, & Kraut, R. E. (2016). The relationship between Facebook Use and Well-being Depends on Communication Type and Tie Strenght, J Comput-Mediat Comm, 21: 265-281. Doi: 10.111/jcc4.12162im
Čekić, E. (2024). Effects of artificial intelligence on psychological health and social interaction. International Journal of Science Academic Research Vol. 05, Issue 10, pp.8424-8431, ISSN: 2582‐6425.
Crawford, J., Allen, K. Pani, B., & Cowling, M. (2024). When artificial intelligence substitutes humans in higher education: the cost of loneliness, student success, and retention. Studies in Higher Education, 49:5, 883-897, DOI:10.1080/03075079.2024.2326956
Ericsson, E., & Johansson, S. (2023). English speaking practice with conversational AI: Lower secondary students’ educational experiences over time. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 5, 100164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2023.100164
Gidado, B. K., Diffang, A. D., & Zubair, T. H. (2025). Impact of artificial intelligence powered chatbots on problem-solving skills and self-esteem of senior secondary school students in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria. Irish Journal of Educational Practice. Vol. 8; Issue: 03. Pp.47-63. https://aspjournals.org/Journals/index.php/ijep
Gidado, B.K. & Zubair, T.H. (2025). Effect of Artificial Intelligence (AI-ChatGPT) on Educational Psychology Students’ Engagement, Interest and Achievement in the Institute of Education, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria. Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports. Vol. 19(3) PP. 80-92.DOI: 10.9734/ajar/2025/v19i3923
Gopalan, M. A., Linden-Carmichael, & Lanza, S. (2021). College Students’Sense of Belonging and Mental Health Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Adolescent Health 70 (2): 228–33. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.10.010
He, S. (2017). A multivariate investigation into academic procrastination of university students. Open Journal of Social Sciences 5, 12-24. https://doi:10.4236/jss.2017.51002
Kelleher, C., & Tierney, B. (2018). Artificial intelligence in education: Applications and prospects. AI Magazine, 39(3), 45-49.
Keles, B., McCrae, N., & Grealish, A. (2019). A systematic review: The influence of social media on depression, anxiety and psychological distress in adolescents. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 25(1), 79–93.
Lai, T., Zeng, X., Xu, B., Xie, C., Liu, Y., Wang, Z., Lu, H., & Fu, S. (2024). The application of artificial intelligence technology in education influences Chinese adolescent’s emotional perception. Current Psychology, 43, 5309–5317. Https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04727-6
Martin, F., Zhuang, M., & Schaefer, D. (2024). Systematic review of research on artificial intelligence in K-12 education (2017–2022). Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 6, 100195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2023.100195
Nwokorie, C. N., & Charles Onichakwe, C. (2024). Assessing artificial intelligence influence on students’ academic outcome at Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria African Journal of Social and Behavioural Sciences (AJSBS) Volume 14, Number 7 ISSN: 2141-209X
Olarewaju, Y., Hammed, A. L. A., & Raheem, A. O. (2025). Impact of artificial intelligence tools on student initiative: Examining academic laziness among education undergraduate students at university of Ilorin. Journal of Contemporary Education Research. E-ISSN 3026-9652 P-ISSN 3026-9199.
Olola T.M., Asukwo A.U., & Odufuwa F. (2022). Investigation of the Psychological Effects of Social Media Use Among Students in Minnesota, United State America, International Journal of International Relations, Media and Mass Communication Studies, Vol.8, No.3, pp.37-47
Ostic, D., Qalati, S. A., Barbosa, B., Shah, S. M. M., Galvan, V. E., Herzallah, A. M., & Liu, F. (2021) Effects of Social Media Use on Psychological Well-Being: A Mediated Model. Front. Psychol. 12:678766. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.678766
Rong, Q., Lian, Q., & Tang, T. (2022). Research on the influence of AI and VR technology for students’ concentration and creativity. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 767689. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.767689
Sahoo, P., Mishra, M. & Das, S. C. (2024). Social media impact on psychological well being—A cross sectional study among the adolescents of Odisha. J Family Med Prim Care; 13:859-63.
Sepahpour, T. (2020). Ethical Considerations of Chatbot Use for Mental Health Support. International Journal of Multidisciplinary 4 (6): 14–7.
Scott, H., Biello, S. M., & Woods, H. C. (2019). Social Media use and adolescent sleep patterns: Cross-sectional findings from the UK millennium cohort study. BMJ Open, 9(9). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031161
Tanaka, M. (2022). Motivation, self-construal, and gender in project-based learning. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching. https://doi.org/10.1080/17501229.2022.2043870
Williams, R., Park, H. W., Oh, L., & Breazeal, C. (2019). PopBots: Designing an artificial intelligence curriculum for early childhood education. Proceedings of the AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence, 33(01), 9729–9736. Https://doi.org/10.1609/aaai.v33i01.33019729
Xia, Q., Chiu, T. K. F., & Chai, C.S. (2022). Gender difference in AI in education The Moderating Effects of Gender and Need Satisfaction on Self-Regulated Learning Through Artificial Intelligence (AI). Education and Information Technologies, Advanced online publication. https://10.1007/s10639-022-11547-x