Identifying the Components of Psychological Counseling for Adolescents with Artificial Intelligence: A Grounded Theory Study

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran.

2 B.A. in Counseling and Guidance, Department of Counseling ,Faculty of Education and Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran.

10.48308/apsy.2026.242622.1942

Abstract

Aim: The present study aimed to formulate a comprehensive theoretical model of the psychological consultation process between adolescents and artificial intelligence.
 
Method: This qualitative study was conducted using the Grounded Theory approach. The research population consisted of adolescents from various cities in Iran in the year 1404 (2025-2026), who were selected via purposive sampling. The sample size reached 21 participants based on the principle of theoretical saturation. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Strauss and Corbin’s constant comparative analysis method through three stages of open, axial, and selective coding.
 
Result: Data analysis led to the development of a paradigm model whose central phenomenon is the psychological consultation of adolescents with artificial intelligence. The causal conditions of this phenomenon are the need for a psychological-functional refuge. The underlying factor of psychological-emotional vulnerability and the intervening factors of the socio-technological enabling structure were also identified. In the face of these conditions, adolescents employ their digitalized agency strategy. The consequences of this process are dual in nature; on the one hand, it leads to the experience of fleeting peace and superficial functioning, and on the other hand, it can be accompanied by a harmful transformation in the human-technology relationship and the erosion of social and communicative capital.
 
Conclusion: The findings highlight the necessity of designing regulatory frameworks for the balanced utilization of artificial intelligence to prevent the trade-off of long-term resilience for short-term relief.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Applied Psychology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 10 April 2026

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