From self-leadership to creative process engagement: Generative AI acceptance and creative self-efficacy as serial cognitive pathways

Despite growing interest in generative artificial intelligence for creative work, the mechanisms driving individuals’ psychological readiness and intention to adopt these tools remain understudied. This paper examines how self-leadership – a proactive process of self-influence – enhances generative artificial intelligence acceptance, individual confidence, and creative process engagement. Using a sample of 258 full-time employees, we tested a serial mediation model linking self-leadership to creative process engagement via artificial intelligence acceptance and creative self-efficacy. The results reveal a significant positive direct relationship between self-leadership and creative process engagement, alongside a significant indirect effect through both mediators. This study contributes to the literature by uncovering the psychological mechanisms and strategies necessary to foster technological readiness and intention within creative contexts.