Tianyu Zhao1, Xiaoli Zhao2, Kenny S. L. Cheah3,*, Ye Zhang3
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.12, pp. 2023-2038, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.071322
- 31 December 2025
Abstract Background: Despite access to university counseling services, many students underutilize them due to cultural stigma, language barriers, and perceived irrelevance. As a result, ChatGPT has emerged as an informal, always-available support system. This study investigates how international PhD students in Malaysia navigate loneliness, mental well-being, and social disconnection through interactions with Generative AI (mainly ChatGPT. Methods: Using a mixed-methods design, the study surveyed 155 international doctoral students and analyzed quantitative responses across four dimensions: loneliness, well-being (WHO-5), perceived social support, and AI-facilitated emotional support. Additionally, open-ended responses were examined using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) to identify… More >