Problematic ChatGPT use: Manifestations, etiologies, and evaluation

Area of Science:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Psychology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• ChatGPT's widespread adoption across various sectors presents both benefits and risks.
• Excessive reliance on ChatGPT can negatively impact mental health, cognition, and social functioning.
• Understanding problematic ChatGPT use is crucial for mitigating adverse effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize evidence on the manifestations, causes, assessment, and neurophysiological underpinnings of problematic ChatGPT use.
• To provide a cross-cultural perspective on problematic ChatGPT use.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review of empirical studies, psychometric developments, theoretical models, and electroencephalogram (EEG) findings.
• Cross-cultural comparison of data from Taiwan, Turkey, China, Korea, Singapore, and the United States.

Main Results:

• Problematic ChatGPT use is prevalent in young adults, associated with depression, stress, poor self-control, and functional impairments.
• Existing psychometric tools require further validation, while theoretical models explain its development through emotional regulation deficits and cognitive biases.
• Preliminary EEG studies indicate altered brain connectivity patterns similar to digital addiction.

Conclusions:

• Problematic ChatGPT use involves complex psychological, behavioral, and neurobiological factors.
• Future research should focus on psychometric validation and EEG studies.
• Interventions like digital literacy, self-regulation, CBT, and neurofeedback are proposed for healthier AI interaction.