Unveiling the impact of ChatGPT: investigating self-efficacy, anxiety and motivation on student performance in blended learning environments

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the impact of ChatGPT on students’ self-efficacy, anxiety and motivation within blended learning environments. Design/methodology/approach A correlational quantitative method was employed using the data collected through an online questionnaire distributed randomly to 293 science and engineering students from 2 state universities in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Measurement analysis was conducted to assess instrument validity, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the relationships between the constructs. Findings The results indicate that self-efficacy and motivation significantly enhance student performance in blended learning, with the positive effect of self-efficacy moderated by ChatGPT. Although anxiety had a positive, though not significant, effect, the interaction between anxiety, motivation and ChatGPT still demonstrated a positive effect on learning performance. Research limitations/implications This study highlights the moderating effect of ChatGPT on motivation, anxiety and performance, emphasizing the need to understand educational contexts and individual differences. The study was limited to a specific student population and a short duration of ChatGPT usage, potentially restricting generalizability. Future research should explore diverse educational settings, disciplines, long-term effects and qualitative methods to gain deeper insights. Originality/value This study provides valuable new insights into the use of AI technology in education from the psychological perspective of students and offers practical implications for improving future learning strategies.