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August 13, 2026Scientific ReportsOpen Access

Latent profiles of instrumental and relational generative AI engagement among university students

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XSXiaCheng SongLSLu SunHQHuafeng Qu

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Overview

Exploratory trial examines patterns of generative AI engagement in university students, revealing distinct profiles and implications for social satisfaction.

Key Points

  • The study aims to explore how university students engage with generative AI in both instrumental and relational contexts.
  • Two independent exploratory surveys conducted with Chinese university students (N=517 for Study 1; N=508 for Study 2).
  • Study 1 assessed instrumental engagement indicators like agency and trust; Study 2 examined relational engagement indicators like emotional safety and disclosure.
  • Latent profile analysis identified distinct user profiles based on engagement patterns in each study.
  • In Study 1, 'Augmented Users' exhibited higher agency, trust, and delegation compared to 'Limited Users.'
  • In Study 2, 'Attached Users' demonstrated higher anthropomorphism and emotional safety but reported greater loneliness and lower social satisfaction than 'Uninvolved Users.'
  • Findings highlight distinct profiles in instrumental and relational engagement, emphasizing the complexity of generative AI usage among students.

Cite This Study

Song et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a7d76502b0e0cff3f63f930https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-64785-1
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Generative AI interaction styles and mental health among college students: a latent profile analysis2026
  2. 2Cluster-based analysis of university students’ perceptions of generative AI across STEM and non-STEM fields2026
  3. 3The Impact of Generative AI on University Students’ Learning Experience2025 · 4 citations
  4. 4Generative AI Adoption and Self-Reported Academic Integrity Risk: A Student Taxonomy in Latin American Higher Education2026
  5. 5Evolving Perspectives on Generative AI in Higher Education: Insights from Two Years of University Stakeholder Analysis2025