Demographic and Professional Differences in Perceived Usefulness of Artificial Intelligence Tools, Technostress, Job Insecurity, and Self Efficacy among Psychologists

Abstract

The use of AI-based tools could enhance productivity in the workplace, yet also generate technological stress and worries regarding job sustainability. Professional efficiency can be improved, and technology strain and worries about job continuity can arise with the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. The study was a cross-sectional analysis conducted on 202 psychologists. Participants answered on perceived usefulness scale, technostress scale, job insecurity scale and General Self-Efficacy Scale. Scale scores were quite satisfactory in terms of internal consistency (Cronbach's alphas ranged from .865 to .925). Job insecurity positively and strongly correlated with Technostress (r = .64) while self-efficacy negatively and weakly correlated with Technostress (r = -.26). There were differences between gender categories with respect to job insecurity, and between professional-experience groups in terms of job insecurity and self-efficacy. There were no significant differences between the different types of practices. Overall, the results indicate that psychologists are aware of the usefulness of AI but do not all feel a high level of insecurity about their roles; however, there is a need for specific support for less experienced psychologists and one gender group. Organizations need to introduce AI in a way that supports psychologists rather than creating uncertainty about their roles. Clear guidance on how AI should be used, along with practical training and safeguards for professional decision making can be helpful in reducing concerns which are related to technostress and job insecurity.