Perceived AI-related autonomy erosion in adults: scale development and associations with well-being, authenticity, and self-esteem
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY, cilt.45, sa.17, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 45 Sayı: 17
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s12144-026-09999-2
- Dergi Adı: CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, BIOSIS, Psycinfo, Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Business Source Ultimate (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Sociology Source Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study aimed to develop a scale to assess perceived AI-related autonomy erosion in adults and to examine its statistical mediating role in the cross-sectional associations between dependence on artificial intelligence (DAI) and psychological well-being (PWB), authenticity (AUT), and state self-esteem (SSES). A two-stage quantitative design was used. In the first stage, the scale development process included a pilot study (n = 65), exploratory factor analysis (n = 256), and confirmatory factor analysis (n = 312). In the second stage, the structural model was tested with an independent sample (n = 473). The findings showed that ATA had a 12-item, three-factor structure: Reduced Decision Ownership, Weakened Autonomous Judgment, and Decision Delegation. The scale provided initial psychometric evidence, although further validation is needed. Correlation and mediation analyses showed that ATA was negatively associated with PWB, AUT, and SSES. In addition, cross-sectional mediation analyses indicated significant indirect associations between DAI and these psychological outcomes with ATA included as a statistical mediator. Overall, the findings suggest that AI dependence and perceived AI-related autonomy erosion are associated with decision ownership, self-direction, and psychological functioning.