Research Article

AI literacy and AI anxiety: A parallel mediation model of positive AI perception, generative media use, and chatbot interaction

Number: 1 July 20, 2026

AI literacy and AI anxiety: A parallel mediation model of positive AI perception, generative media use, and chatbot interaction

Abstract

This cross-sectional study examined the associations among artificial intelligence (AI) literacy, AI anxiety, and AI-related perceptions and engagement. It also tested whether positive AI perception, generative media use, and chatbot interaction statistically mediated the association between AI literacy and AI anxiety. The sample comprised 548 adults residing in Türkiye, including 291 women (53.1%) and 257 men (46.9%), aged 18-65 years. Participants were administered the Artificial Intelligence Literacy Scale (AILS), Artificial Intelligence Anxiety Scale (AIAS), and Artificial Intelligence Perception and Attitude Scale (AIPAS). AI literacy was negatively associated with total AI anxiety, with the strongest association observed for learning anxiety. Positive AI perceptions were negatively associated with AI anxiety and positively associated with AI literacy. In a parallel mediation model controlling for gender, the total indirect effect through positive AI perception, generative media use, and chatbot interaction was statistically significant. Women reported higher total AI anxiety, job-replacement anxiety, sociotechnical blindness, and AI-configuration anxiety. Women showed higher AI literacy and generative media use, whereas men reported more frequent chatbot use. There was no significant gender difference in overall AI perceptions and attitudes or positive AI perception. The findings suggest that the association between AI literacy and AI anxiety may be partly explained by how individuals evaluate and engage with AI technologies. Longitudinal and intervention-based studies are needed to test the temporal and practical implications of these associations.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

No specific funding was received for this research from commercial, public, or non-profit funding bodies.

Ethical Statement

All research procedures involving human participants adhered to the ethical guidelines set by the relevant institutional and/or national review boards, as well as the principles outlined in the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its subsequent revisions or equivalent standards. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from İstanbul Sabahattin Zaim University (Approval No: E.202541785).

Thanks

We would like to thank all participants who took part in the study.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Social Psychology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 20, 2026

Submission Date

April 26, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 20, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 1

APA
Büge, B., Sarı, B., & Yılmaz, B. (2026). AI literacy and AI anxiety: A parallel mediation model of positive AI perception, generative media use, and chatbot interaction. Psychology Research on Education and Social Sciences, 1, 1-13. https://izlik.org/JA48SC69RF
AMA
1.Büge B, Sarı B, Yılmaz B. AI literacy and AI anxiety: A parallel mediation model of positive AI perception, generative media use, and chatbot interaction. PRESS. 2026;(1):1-13. https://izlik.org/JA48SC69RF
Chicago
Büge, Burcu, Beyza Sarı, and Betül Yılmaz. 2026. “AI Literacy and AI Anxiety: A Parallel Mediation Model of Positive AI Perception, Generative Media Use, and Chatbot Interaction”. Psychology Research on Education and Social Sciences, no. 1: 1-13. https://izlik.org/JA48SC69RF.
EndNote
Büge B, Sarı B, Yılmaz B (July 1, 2026) AI literacy and AI anxiety: A parallel mediation model of positive AI perception, generative media use, and chatbot interaction. Psychology Research on Education and Social Sciences 1 1–13.
IEEE
[1]B. Büge, B. Sarı, and B. Yılmaz, “AI literacy and AI anxiety: A parallel mediation model of positive AI perception, generative media use, and chatbot interaction”, PRESS, no. 1, pp. 1–13, July 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA48SC69RF
ISNAD
Büge, Burcu - Sarı, Beyza - Yılmaz, Betül. “AI Literacy and AI Anxiety: A Parallel Mediation Model of Positive AI Perception, Generative Media Use, and Chatbot Interaction”. Psychology Research on Education and Social Sciences. 1 (July 1, 2026): 1-13. https://izlik.org/JA48SC69RF.
JAMA
1.Büge B, Sarı B, Yılmaz B. AI literacy and AI anxiety: A parallel mediation model of positive AI perception, generative media use, and chatbot interaction. PRESS. 2026;:1–13.
MLA
Büge, Burcu, et al. “AI Literacy and AI Anxiety: A Parallel Mediation Model of Positive AI Perception, Generative Media Use, and Chatbot Interaction”. Psychology Research on Education and Social Sciences, no. 1, July 2026, pp. 1-13, https://izlik.org/JA48SC69RF.
Vancouver
1.Burcu Büge, Beyza Sarı, Betül Yılmaz. AI literacy and AI anxiety: A parallel mediation model of positive AI perception, generative media use, and chatbot interaction. PRESS [Internet]. 2026 Jul. 1;(1):1-13. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA48SC69RF

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