Applied Psychology

Applied Psychology

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

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Zahra sadat Pour seyyed aghaei 1
Pegah Tashakori Movahed 2
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: This study aimed to formulate a comprehensive theoretical model explaining the process of psychological counseling interactions between adolescents and artificial intelligence systems.

Method: This qualitative study was conducted using grounded theory methodology. The research population included adolescents from different cities in Iran during 1404 (2025–2026). Participants were selected through purposive sampling, and data saturation was achieved with 21 participants. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Strauss and Corbin’s constant comparative method through open, axial, and selective coding.

Results: Data analysis led to the development of a paradigm model in which the central phenomenon was psychological counseling with artificial intelligence. The causal condition underlying this phenomenon was identified as the need for a psychological-functional refuge. Psychological-emotional vulnerability was identified as the contextual condition, while socio-technological enabling structures functioned as intervening conditions. Adolescents responded to these conditions through a strategy of digitalized agency. The consequences of this process were dual in nature: on one hand, temporary emotional relief and superficial functioning, and on the other hand, potential harmful changes in human–technology relationships and erosion of social and communicative capital.

Conclusion: The findings emphasize the need for balanced and ethically guided use of artificial intelligence in adolescent counseling to prevent long-term psychosocial risks associated with excessive reliance on AI systems.
Keywords
Adolescents
Artificial Intelligence
Psychological Consultation
Subjects
Abdollahzadeh, A., Mohammadzamani, N., & Zamaniyan, S. (2025). The boom of AI counseling: Entrepreneurial opportunities in the age of digital transformation. New Research in Management and Accounting.(Link)
Amirkhani, M., Sadeghian, M. H., Hajebi, A., & Shojaei, A. A. (2025). Investigating the challenges of using artificial intelligence in suicide counseling with an interdisciplinary approach. Teb va Tazkieh, 33(4), 170-183.(Link)
Adler, J. M., Dunlop, W. L., Fivush, R., Lilgendahl, J. P., Lodi-Smith, J., McAdams, D. P., & McLean, K. C. (2017). Research methods for studying narrative identity: A primer. Social Psychological and Personality Science, Volume 8, Issue 5. (Link)      
Aguirre Velasco, A., Cruz, I. S. S., Billings, J., Jimenez, M., & Rowe, S. (2020). What are the barriers, facilitators and interventions targeting help-seeking behaviours for common mental health problems in adolescents? A systematic review. BMC psychiatry, 20(1), 293. (Link)
Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Attachment. New York: Basic Books.(Link)
Charmaz, K., & Thornberg, R. (2021). The pursuit of quality in grounded theory. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 18(3), 305–327. (Link)
Coleman, J. C. (2011). The Nature of Adolescence (4th ed.). Routledge. (Link)
Davis, M. M., Modi, H. H., Skymba, H. V., Finnegan, M. K., Haigler, K., Telzer, E. H., & Rudolph, K. D. (2023). Thumbs up or thumbs down: neural processing of social feedback and links to social motivation in adolescent girls. Social cognitive and affective neuroscience, 18(1), nsac055. (Link)
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The "what" and "why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227-268. (Link)
Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth and crisis. W. W. Norton & Company. (Link)
Grodniewicz, J. P., & Hohol, M. (2023). Waiting for a digital therapist: three challenges on the path to psychotherapy delivered by artificial intelligence. Frontiers in Psychiatry, Volume 14 . (Link) 
Guthold, R., Carvajal-Velez, L., Adebayo, E., Azzopardi, P., Baltag, V., Dastgiri, S., Dua, T., Fagan, L., Ferguson, B. J., Inchley, J. C., Mekuria, M. L., Moller, A. B., Servili, C., & Requejo, J. (2023). The Importance of Mental Health Measurement to Improve Global Adolescent Health. The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 72(1S), S3–S6. (Link)
jafari, R., & Rahmati, H. (2025). The Application of Artificial Intelligence in Ethical Counseling: From Transformative Potentials to Ethical Challenges. Journal of Moral Studies, 8(2), 49-72.(Link)
Fontana, A., Benzi, I. M. A., & Cipresso, P. (2023). Problematic internet use as a moderator between personality dimensions and internalizing and externalizing symptoms in adolescence. Current Psychology, Volume 42, pages 32244–32254. (Link)
Majidi Afshar, T., & Shaker Dolagh, A. (2023). The role of adolescent issues, body image dissatisfaction, and attachment to parents and peers in predicting social anxiety among adolescent girls.  Analytical-Cognitive Psychology Quarterly, 97 (1): 256-259.(Link)
Mastorci, F., Lazzeri, M. F. L., Vassalle, C., & Pingitore, A. (2024). The Transition from Childhood to Adolescence: Between Health and Vulnerability. Children, 11(8), 989. (Link)
Olawade, D. B., Wada, O. Z., Odetayo, A., & others. (2024). Enhancing mental health with Artificial Intelligence: Current trends and future prospects. Journal of Medicine. (Link)
Ping, Y. (2024). Experience in psychological counseling supported by artificial intelligence technology. Technology and Health Care, Volume 32, Issue 6. (Link)
Preston, A. J., & Rew, L. (2022). Connectedness, self-esteem, and prosocial behaviors protect adolescent mental health following social isolation: a systematic review. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, Pages 32-41. (Link)
Saraee F, Ahmadi F Z, Gholami M. Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescents in Iran: AScoping Review. jhosp 2025; 24 (1) :96-116.(Link)
Shanahan, M., McDonell, K., & Reynolds, L. (2023). Role-play with large language models as a source of immediate gratification and long-term risk. Nature Human Behaviour, 7(10), 1662-1673.(Link)
Sohn, J.-S., Lee, E., Kim, J.-J., Oh, H.-K., & Kim, E. (2025). Implementation of generative AI for the assessment and treatment of autism spectrum disorders: A scoping review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16. (Link) 
Spytska, L. (2025). The use of artificial intelligence in psychotherapy: development of intelligent therapeutic systems. BMC Psychology. (Link)
van der Wal, A., Valkenburg, P. M., & van Driel, I. I. (2024). In their own words: How adolescents use social media and how it affects them. Social Media Society. (Link)
Zhou, S., Zhao, J., & Zhang, L. (2022). Application of artificial intelligence on psychological interventions and diagnosis: An overview. Frontiers in Psychiatry. (Link)
Zhu, S., Wang, Y., & Hu, Y. (2025). Facilitators and Barriers to Digital Mental Health Interventions for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Adolescents and Young Adults: Scoping Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research. (Link)