Self-efficacy and motivation partially mediate the negative relationship between thoughtless GenAI use and self-directed learning, including a sequential SE→MOV pathway¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (2 entries) · associational r1 · q2
Currency · newest study 2026 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? Indirect effects through MOV (β = −0.37), SE (β = −0.09), and the sequential SE–MOV path (β = −0.20) are all significant, and the direct effect remains significant, indicating partial mediation. → Hui Zhao & Huijuan Gu 2026 q2 i? The direct TUGA→SDL effect remains significant alongside the indirect effects, so mediation is partial rather than full. → Hui Zhao & Huijuan Gu 2026 (2)

Evidence¶

Hui Zhao & Huijuan Gu 2026¶

Hui Zhao & Huijuan Gu. (2026). Thoughtless use of generative artificial intelligence and college students’ self-directed learning: a multi-group SEM analysis of gender differences. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-54337-y

q2 · i? · associational · r1

Bootstrapping mediation analysis within PLS-SEM (Table 8). All three indirect paths from TUGA to SDL were significant, with the sequential SE–MOV path at "β = −0.20, t = 2.75, p = .003".

"the indirect effects through MOV (β = −0.37, t = 5.52, p < .001), SE (β = −0.09, t = 2.50, p = .012), and the sequential path of SE and MOV (β = −0.20, t = 2.75, p = .003) were all significant."

Hui Zhao & Huijuan Gu 2026 (2)¶

Hui Zhao & Huijuan Gu. (2026). Thoughtless use of generative artificial intelligence and college students’ self-directed learning: a multi-group SEM analysis of gender differences. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-54337-y

q2 · i? · associational · r1

Same mediation analysis (Table 8, all paths labelled PM, partial mediation). Because the direct effect stayed significant, the article concludes the mediators "partially mediate" the TUGA–SDL relationship.

"At the same time, the direct effect remained significant (β = −0.42, t = 6.76, p < .001). These results indicate that SE, MOV , and the sequential SE–MOV pathway partially mediate the relationship between the TUGA and SDL."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• The effects of thoughtless GenAI use on motivation, self-efficacy, and self-directed learning differ significantly by gender — related
• Thoughtless use of generative AI significantly and negatively predicts both self-efficacy and motivation — related
• Self-efficacy has a significant positive effect on motivation among undergraduates using generative AI — related
• Self-efficacy and motivation positively predict self-directed learning, with motivation the strongest direct predictor — related
• Thoughtless use of generative AI is negatively associated with undergraduates' self-directed learning in a cross-sectional survey model (β = −0.42) — related
• Perceived usefulness of the AI assistant significantly and partially mediated the relationship between AI-assisted programming and collaborative outcomes and performance — related
• Sequential mediation through both intellectual helplessness and working memory is not significant — related
• The TUGA, motivation, and self-efficacy jointly explain 75.3% of the variance in undergraduates’ self-directed learning — related