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Young people hooked on generative AI reported more psychotic-like experiences a month later, study finds

Study title: Generative artificial intelligence addiction is prospectively associated with psychotic-like experiences: Evidence from a two-wave longitudinal mediation and network study

Evidence type
Observational study
Sample
n = 582
Sources
1 sourcePeer-reviewed
Published
1 min read
Truvace record
TRV-2026-2544cite or check it

Study title: Generative artificial intelligence addiction is prospectively associated with psychotic-like experiences: Evidence from a two-wave longitudinal mediation and network study

A longitudinal study of 582 adolescents and young adults found that addiction to generative AI at baseline was associated with more psychotic-like experiences at a 1-month follow-up (β = 0.19, p < .001).

Read the study abstract

Objectives With the rapid adoption of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) in learning, work, and daily life, concerns have grown about its mental health implications. Evidence beyond affective outcomes is limited. This study examined whether GAI addiction is prospectively associated with psychotic-like experiences and assessed indirect associations involving information overload and rumination. Methods A two-wave longitudinal design was used with 582 adolescents and young adults. GAI addiction, information…

The problem

In a two-wave study of 582 adolescents and young adults, those with higher generative AI addiction at baseline reported more psychotic-like experiences one month later (β = 0.19), partly through rumination.

In brief

Rumination, the tendency to dwell on thoughts, mediated part of that link. Information overload was not an independent mediator, but it fed into a significant serial pathway that ran through rumination.

The authors frame the results as longitudinal evidence on possible mental health correlates of generative AI use, and say the association may partly involve cognitive processes rather than being fully explained by them.

Main points

  1. The study followed 582 adolescents and young adults across two waves, at baseline and 1-month follow-up.
  2. Participants were assessed on generative AI addiction, information overload, rumination and psychotic-like experiences at both points.
  3. Baseline generative AI addiction predicted psychotic-like experiences at follow-up (β = 0.19, p < .001).
  4. Rumination showed a significant mediating effect on the link.
  5. Information overload was not an independent mediator but contributed to a significant serial pathway through rumination.
  6. Network analysis found baseline psychotic-like experiences were relatively strongly associated with rumination-related items at follow-up.

The full story

Researchers used a two-wave design with serial mediation models to test whether generative AI addiction was prospectively linked to later psychotic-like experiences, through information overload and then rumination.

They also ran cross-lagged panel network analysis to look at associations among individual items. It indicated that baseline psychotic-like experiences were relatively strongly associated with rumination-related nodes at the second wave.

The authors conclude that the association between generative AI addiction and psychotic-like experiences may partly involve cognitive processes, particularly rumination, and describe the findings as potential mental health correlates of generative AI use.

Sources

1 on file
  1. Computers in Human Behavior Reportsdoi:10.1016/j.chbr.2026.101301
    Peer-reviewed2026-09-09

Talk it over

Four questions to start onWho carries this cost, and what would have to change to prevent it?

Start with a question

Young people hooked on generative AI reported more psychotic-like experiences a month later, study findshttps://truvace.com/item/generative-artificial-intelligence-addiction-is-prospectively-associated-with-ps

  1. Who carries this cost, and what would have to change to prevent it?

    The problem In a two-wave study of 582 adolescents and young adults, those with higher generative AI addiction at baseline reported more psychotic-like experiences one month later (β = 0.19), partly through rumination.

    Answer in the thread

  2. How do we know? What can this kind of evidence show, and what can’t it?

    The evidence This rests on an observational study with a sample of 582, from Computers in Human Behavior Reports.

    Answer in the thread

  3. What does it leave open? What else would you want to know before acting on it?

    The record’s own caveat Follow-up lasted only 1 month, and the authors describe the findings as prospective associations and potential correlates, not proof that generative AI addiction causes psychotic-like experiences.

    Answer in the thread

  4. Have you seen AI used this way where you study, work or live? Did it go the same way?

    Answer in the thread

The questions are the same on every record. The details under them are taken from this record as written.

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