How to use social media and artificial intelligence to promote mental health among Chinese and Chinese American college students in the U.S.

Publication Date

5-1-2025

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Current Psychology

Volume

44

Issue

10

DOI

10.1007/s12144-025-07790-3

First Page

8400

Last Page

8411

Abstract

This study explored the potential of using social media and artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle language and cultural barriers in order to promote mental health among Chinese and Chinese American college students. Ten bilingual (Chinese Mandarin and English) focus group sessions were conducted over Zoom with 26 Chinese and Chinese American students at a university on the west coast of the United States between October 2023 and February 2024. Thematic analysis of the focus group meeting transcripts was conducted via deductive coding and then inductive selection of quotes on Google Document and Nvivo. Social media provides a platform for providing emotional and informational support to Chinese and Chinese American students but also poses risks of social negativity. AI can be used to increase awareness and recognize emotions via social media posts, but it lacks human interaction during treatment and is considered overgeneralized. Our study explored how to leverage social media to create an open and supportive environment for Chinese and Chinese American students to receive mental health support, highlighting the importance of training to mitigate social negativity on social media and improve eHealth literacy among these students. Our study also unveiled the concerns of college students about overgeneralized AI-powered mental health support. Future interventions can integrate the advantages of social media and AI to provide culturally tailored mental health promotion services to Chinese and Chinese American students.

Keywords

Artificial intelligence, Chinese and Chinese American college students, Mental health, Social media, United States

Department

Public Health and Recreation; Global Innovation and Leadership; Computer Engineering

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