Researchers at West University of Timișoara investigate AI-induced technostress using the Technostress Creators scale and DASS-21 questionnaires among 217 Romanian adults. Employing structural equation modeling, they demonstrate significant positive associations between AI-related stressors—overload, invasion, complexity, and insecurity—and symptoms of anxiety (β=0.342) and depression (β=0.308), accounting for 11.7% and 9.5% of variance, respectively.

Key points

• Latent technostress construct comprises five factors with loadings: overload (.809), invasion (.813), complexity (.503), insecurity (.735), uncertainty (.314).
• SEM shows technostress predicts anxiety (β=.342, p<.001, R2=.117) and depression (β=.308, p<.001, R2=.095) in a 217-participant Romanian sample.
• Technostress and DASS-21R scales demonstrate strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s α>0.80) across all measured dimensions.

Why it matters: By quantifying how AI-induced technostress contributes to anxiety and depression, this study highlights urgent mental health implications as AI integrates into everyday life.