The mediating effect of the dark future between optimism-pessimism and fear of artificial intelligence in young adults from four Arab countries—a path analysis approach
This study aimed to assess the mediating effect of the dark future between optimism-pessimism and fear of artificial intelligence (AI). This cross-sectional study was conducted between June and December 2023, enrolling 1849 participants from four Arab countries. The data were collected using a Google Forms. Path analysis was performed using SPSS AMOS v.30. The results revealed that the dark future mediated the associations between pessimism and fear of AI and between optimism and fear of AI. Higher pessimism was associated with more dark future, and more dark future with higher fear of AI. Higher optimism is linked to a less dark future, which is associated with elevated AI fear. Pessimism and optimism are indirectly associated with fear of AI. This study suggests that pessimism and optimism correlate with fear of AI through dark future views. This may aid future research aiming to highlight clinical implications for treating fear of AI and acceptance.
Authors
- Rabih Hallit (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1817-6146)
- Btissame Zarrouq (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2996-8459)
- Rizwana Amin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3262-6329)
- Feten Fekih‐Romdhane (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2569-8017)
- Sahar Obeïd (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0735-4704)
- Fouad Sakr (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6905-5814)
- Nisma Merdad (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6518-3758)
- Diana Malaeb (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2436-850X)
- Mariam Dabbous (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5191-3497)
- Souheil R. Hallit (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6918-5689)
- Kamel Jebreen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3933-0579)
- Hanaa Shuwiekh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2050-2713)
- Amthal Alhuwailah
- Ghida Al Khoury
- Tabassum Rashid
Institutions
- Effat University (SA)
- Applied Science Private University (JO)
- Gulf Medical University (AE)
- An-Najah National University (PS)
- Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (LB)
- Palestine Technical University - Kadoorie (PS)
- Alyn Hospital (IL)
- Kuwait University (KW)
- Bellevue Hospital Center (US)
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Notre Dame des Secours (LB)
- Badr University in Cairo (EG)
- Hôpital Razi de La Manouba (TN)
- Faculté de médecine de Tunis
- Al Akhawayn University (MA)
- Lebanese American University (LB)
- Tunis El Manar University (TN)
- Fayoum University (EG)
- Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University (MA)
- Lebanese International University (LB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- International Journal of Adolescence and Youth
- Published
- 2025-11-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2025.2583358
- Primary Topic
- Optimism, Hope, and Well-being
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00