PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE USE ON COGNITION, EMOTIONAL REGULATION, AND DECISION-MAKING AMONG YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

The rapid diffusion of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) has transformed how young adults acquire information, solve problems, communicate, regulate emotions, and make decisions. Although GenAI can enhance cognitive efficiency and provide personalized assistance, excessive reliance may encourage cognitive offloading, weaken independent evaluation, influence emotional regulation, and increase dependence on algorithmic recommendations. This study examines the psychological effects of GenAI use on cognition, emotional regulation, and decision-making among young adults in Lahore, Pakistan. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was adopted. For purposes of this manuscript, an illustrative sample of 400 young adults aged 18–30 was used to demonstrate the proposed empirical analysis. Data were conceptualized as being collected through a structured five-point Likert-scale questionnaire measuring GenAI usage intensity, cognitive offloading, emotional-regulation reliance, decision-making reliance, AI dependence, and cognitive autonomy. Descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and mediation analysis were proposed. The illustrative findings indicate that intensive GenAI use is positively associated with cognitive offloading and AI dependence, while cognitive offloading is negatively associated with cognitive autonomy. GenAI use for learning and information exploration appears comparatively beneficial, whereas reliance on AI for emotional reassurance and decision substitution is associated with greater psychological dependence. Cognitive offloading partially mediates the relationship between GenAI use and cognitive autonomy. The study concludes that GenAI is neither inherently beneficial nor detrimental; its psychological consequences depend substantially on the purpose, intensity, and manner of use. The study recommends AI-literacy education, verification practices, metacognitive training, emotional self-regulation strategies, and human oversight to preserve cognitive autonomy among young adults.