Inteligência Artificial aplicada à saúde mental no ensino superior: o uso de chatbots como ferramenta de apoio a estudantes universitários do IFPI Campus Picos

Abstract

This study analyzed the potential of Artificial Intelligence-based chatbots as a tool to support mental health in higher education, considering the evidence available in the literature and the perceptions of students from the Federal Institute of Piauí (IFPI), Picos Campus, regarding the use of these technologies. The research was characterized as applied, exploratory, and descriptive, adopting a qualitative-quantitative approach, and was conducted through a systematized literature review and field research involving undergraduate students at IFPI Picos Campus. The findings revealed the presence of indicators of psychological distress among students and the persistence of barriers to seeking psychological support. At the same time, they showed widespread familiarity with general-purpose chatbots and limited knowledge of tools specifically designed to support mental health. The results also indicated a favorable perception of the use of these technologies, with perceived usefulness emerging as the factor most strongly associated with the intention to use, followed by trust in the guidance provided by chatbots. The comparison between the literature and the field research findings demonstrated convergence regarding the potential of chatbots as complementary support tools, although their use involves limitations related to privacy, security, professional supervision, and ethical issues in mental health care. It is concluded that Artificial Intelligence-based chatbots have the potential to expand mental health support in the university context, provided that they are implemented in an ethical, secure, and integrated manner alongside professional psychological care while maintaining their complementary role.