Relationship Between Generative AI Use and Life Satisfaction and the Mediating Role of AI Literacy Among Hong Kong Adults: Cross-Sectional Study.

Authors

Ted Ct Fong, Chee Hon Chan, Alex Pak Ki Kwok, Ryder Th Chan, Raymond Lap Ming Tang, Ming Wen, Paul Sf Yip

Published in

Journal of medical Internet research. Volume 28. Pages e88362. Jul 14, 2026. Epub Jul 14, 2026.

Abstract

Rapid technological advances have led to the development of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). GenAI tools such as ChatGPT (OpenAI) and DALL-E (OpenAI) can generate text and images in response to prompts and have permeated various life domains. Existing literature has reported mixed relationships between GenAI use and life satisfaction.
By synthesizing the Technology Acceptance Model and self-determination theory, this study aimed to examine the associations between GenAI use, perceived artificial intelligence (AI) usefulness, behavioral intention to use AI, AI literacy, and life satisfaction in general adults.
A population-based survey recruited 1800 community-dwelling adults (mean age 49.3, SD 14.9 years, 995/1800, 55.3% women) via a 2-stage random sampling design in Hong Kong in spring 2024. Participants completed self-report measures on GenAI use and validated measures on perceived AI usefulness, behavioral intention to use AI, AI literacy, and life satisfaction. Multivariate analysis of covariance examined the gender and age differences in the study variables. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the associations between AI-related constructs, GenAI use, and life satisfaction in the whole sample and across gender and age subgroups.
Two-fifths (693/1800, 38.5%) of the sample reported GenAI use in the past year. There were significant age differences with declining trends in perceived AI usefulness, behavioral intention to use AI, GenAI use, and AI literacy from young adults to older adults. GenAI users with daily use of more than 2 hours reported significantly higher perceived AI usefulness, behavioral intention to use AI, AI literacy, and life satisfaction than nonusers. In the structural equation modeling, the direct effect of GenAI use on life satisfaction was not significant. There were significant positive indirect effects (αβ=0.186, 95% CI 0.134-0.242) from perceived AI usefulness to life satisfaction via behavioral intention to use AI, GenAI use, and AI literacy. Subgroup analyses found stronger total indirect effects in men (αβ=0.260, 95% CI 0.177-0.348) than in women (αβ=0.112, 95% CI 0.055-0.180) and in older adults (αβ=0.227, 95% CI 0.113-0.367) than in young adults (αβ=0.124, 95% CI 0.038-0.214).
These findings synthesized the Technology Acceptance Model and self-determination theory and found a positive modest relationship between GenAI use and life satisfaction in Hong Kong adults. AI literacy showed a potential bridging role in the relationship between GenAI use and life satisfaction. Further longitudinal studies are needed to elucidate the causal direction and determinants of GenAI use and AI literacy.

PMID:
42447477
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 15 Jul 2026.

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