Abstract
The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, such as ChatGPT, presents both opportunities and challenges. While some studies suggest that AI use can be beneficial, others have identified detrimental effects on performance. Drawing on literature that explores the relationship between personality traits and compulsive technology use, this study investigated whether the Big Five personality traits contribute to compulsive ChatGPT use. In this cross-sectional study, 207 university students in China completed a survey measuring compulsive ChatGPT use, Big Five personality traits, and demographic information. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that compulsive ChatGPT use was positively associated with neuroticism and negatively associated with agreeableness, after controlling for age. No significant relationships were found between compulsive ChatGPT use and openness, conscientiousness, or extraversion. This study provides empirical evidence of the role of personality traits in compulsive ChatGPT use. The findings may help educators identify students at risk for compulsive ChatGPT use, particularly those high in neuroticism, and suggest directions for potential interventions.
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The data of the present study are available upon request to the corresponding author.
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This study was supported by the Wenzhou-Kean University Student Partnering with Faculty Research Programs (Project no: WKUSPF202421).
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Conceptualization, Chee-Seng Tan; Data curation, Yinyao Hu, Jiahui Qian, Shimeng Wang, Yihan Wang, and Hanyun Zhang; Formal analysis, Yinyao Hu, Chee-Seng Tan; Funding acquisition, Chee-Seng Tan; Methodology, Yinyao Hu, Chee-Seng Tan, Jiahui Qian, Shimeng Wang, Yihan Wang, and Hanyun Zhang; Project administration, Chee-Seng Tan; Writing—original draft, Yinyao Hu and Chee-Seng Tan; Writing—review & editing, Yinyao Hu, Chee-Seng Tan, Hanyun Zhang, Jiahui Qian, Shimeng Wang, and Yihan Wang. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
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Hu, Y., Tan, CS., Wang, S. et al. Who is Hooked on AI? The Role of the Big Five Personality Traits in Compulsive ChatGPT Use Among Chinese Students. Asia-Pacific Edu Res (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-025-01001-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-025-01001-0