The indirect effect of active procrastination in the relationship between ChatGPT use in academic contexts and ChatGPT-related psychological distress

Abstract

The objectives of the current study were to investigate the potential indirect effect of active procrastination in the relationship between ChatGPT use in academic contexts and psychological distress related to ChatGPT use. The study included 236 student participants from Romania, of whom 68.2% were women, ranging in age from 18 to 25 years (M = 20.64; SD = 1.97). The participants completed instruments assessing ChatGPT use in academic contexts, active procrastination, psychological distress related to ChatGPT use, and various socio-demographic data. Our findings indicate that ChatGPT use in academic contexts is positively associated with psychological distress related to ChatGPT use, while active procrastination is negatively related to both ChatGPT use in academic contexts and psychological distress related to ChatGPT use. Moreover, active procrastination has an indirect effect on the aforementioned direct relationship. The theoretical and practical implications of the present findings are discussed.