EXPLORING THE ACCEPTANCE OF AI-BASED MENTAL HEALTH APPS AMONG PAKISTANI YOUTH

Abstract

This study explores how young people in Pakistan perceive and accept AI-based mental health applications, focusing on factors such as perceived usefulness, ease of use, privacy concerns, trust, and demographic influences. By applying the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the research reveals an overall positive attitude toward AI-driven mental health tools, with many participants recognizing their potential to help manage mental health. However, privacy concerns and trust issues were identified as major obstacles to full adoption, as respondents expressed hesitance about sharing sensitive information with AI systems. Demographic factors, such as age and education level, played a role in shaping attitudes, with younger and more educated individuals showing greater acceptance of these technologies. This study offers valuable insights into the cultural context of Pakistan, where concerns about confidentiality and the value of human interaction in mental health care influence the reception of AI-based solutions. Based on these findings, the study suggests ways to enhance AI-based mental health applications, such as implementing stronger privacy protections, fostering trust, and designing tools that are sensitive to local cultural values in order to improve their effectiveness and acceptance.