Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Appiah-Kubi, Jamal

Abstract

The development of generative artificial intelligence (AI) into adolescents’ daily lives has introduced both opportunities and concerns regarding family dynamics and psychosocial development. Increasingly, adolescents are using AI tools for academic assistance, emotional support, and transparency on sensitive topics. This study examines adolescents’ attitudes toward discussing personal issues with parents compared to AI platforms and explores the potential relational impacts of AI use on parent–child relationships. Guided by Attachment Theory and Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory, this research focuses on adolescents ages 12–16, a developmental stage marked by identity formation and evolving autonomy. The study will include a sequence of recruitment, consent and assent verification, survey administration, and secure data management. The study will utilize a convergent mixed-methods design, including simultaneous collection of quantitative and qualitative data. Approximately 150 adolescents will be recruited via stratified random sampling to complete the Adolescents’ Attitudes Toward AI and Parental Interactions Survey (AAAPI). The personal issues that will be questioned include feelings of parental judgment and the possibility that AI provides a sense of comfort. A purposive subsample of 25 participants will engage in semi-structured interviews to provide deeper insight into lived experiences. Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses (e.g., chi-square tests) in SPSS, while qualitative data will undergo thematic analysis. Findings are expected to identify patterns in AI use and perceived comfort, trust, and communication with parents. Results could provide insight for social work practice, parent education, and policy discussions related to adolescent development in an increasingly AI-integrated society.

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