Understanding Behavioral Intention of Filipino Adults in Adopting Mental Health Chatbots

Ongoing challenges in accessing mental health services in the Philippines, such as stigma, financial constraints, transportation issues, and lack of awareness, prompted this study to explore whether Filipino adults would consider mental health chatbots as a supplementary solution to traditional counseling. A cross-sectional predictive research design was used, involving 503 Filipino adults selected through purposive sampling. Validated scales from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) were applied to assess performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and barriers to accessing mental health services. Data were analyzed using regression analysis and the PROCESS Macro to identify predictors of behavioral intention to use chatbots. Performance expectancy was the strongest predictor, indicating that perceived effectiveness drives interest. Although interaction effects were relatively small, female millennials showed the highest openness to chatbot use. Barriers increased behavioral intention, especially among those with limited previous experiences with AI chatbots. In contrast, individuals with more and particularly negative experiences showed weaker intention. These findings suggest that mental health chatbots have potential as supportive tools for Filipino adults, but their impact depends on previous experience and perceived usefulness.