Filipino Students' Willingness to Use AI for Mental Health Support: A Path Analysis of Behavioral, Emotional, and Contextual Factors

TL;DR

This study investigates factors influencing Filipino students' willingness to use AI for mental health support, emphasizing emotional safety and routine use as key drivers.

Contribution

It identifies behavioral, emotional, and contextual factors affecting willingness, highlighting the importance of emotional safety and habitual use in AI adoption for mental health.

Findings

Habit strongly influences willingness to use AI.

Comfort and emotional benefits increase trust in AI.

Regular AI use boosts confidence and openness.

Abstract

This study examined how behavioral, emotional, and contextual factors influence Filipino students' willingness to use artificial intelligence (AI) for mental health support. Results showed that habit had the strongest effect on willingness, followed by comfort, emotional benefit, facilitating conditions, and perceived usefulness. Students who used AI tools regularly felt more confident and open to relying on them for emotional support. Empathy, privacy, and accessibility also increased comfort and trust in AI systems. The findings highlight that emotional safety and routine use are essential in promoting willingness. The study recommends AI literacy programs, empathic design, and ethical policies that support responsible and culturally sensitive use of AI for student mental health care.