"THE DIGITAL PARADOX: EXPLORING UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTENTIONS TO USE DIGITAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN A SAUDI ARABIAN CONTEXT"

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to better understand Saudi Arabian students' intentions towards using digital mental health (DMH) services. In light of the high level of student mental health need and low awareness for on-campus support, this paper explores students' attitudes, perceptions, and engagement with DMH solutions including online therapy, mobile apps, and AI-driven chatbots. A cross-sectional study among 400 university students of King Khalid University was conducted. The data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, and multivariate ordinal logistic regression for the study. Findings include high rates of mental health struggles (40% of students) and low awareness of university-specific mental health resources (74.3%). Although students at university level demonstrate high digital literacy and a favorable attitude towards DMH, levels of engagement are superficial as use is infrequent and of short duration. The ease of use and perceived usefulness emerged as greatest powerful predictors of behavioral intention to use DMH. on the other hand, both organizational and professional endorsement had a significant negative influence on usage intention, hinting at trust and privacy concerns as part of an intricate connection between them. The report indicates a preference for human-led therapy over AI-driven solutions and identify key barriers, including concerns over data privacy and the perceived effectiveness of digital tools. The results highlight the importance of universities strategically implementing DMH tools that improving user engagement, protecting data and making services available in a manner consistent with preferences for privacy and autonomy by students. Additional quantitative and qualitative research is suggested to better articulate influences on continued DMH engagement.