Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1332-452X

Semester

Summer

Date of Graduation

2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Reed College of Media

Department

Reed College of Media

Committee Chair

Joseph Jones

Committee Member

Fraustino Julia

Committee Member

Devin Smart

Abstract

The increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots for emotional support underscores the need to understand how cultural perceptions shape their adoption among international African students in higher education institutions in the United States. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Social Stigma Theory, this qualitative study explored the perceptions, motivations, and barriers influencing the use of AI chatbots for emotional support. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 undergraduate and graduate students from 10 African countries. The findings reveal that participants viewed AI chatbots as conditional and situational sources of emotional support rather than replacements for human relationships. Convenience, privacy, accessibility, and the perceived lack of racial and cultural competence in formal counseling services emerged as key motivators for chatbot use. However, mental health stigma, cultural norms of silence surrounding emotional distress, mistrust of confidentiality in both human and AI-mediated support, religious beliefs, reliance on community and informal coping mechanisms, and concerns about AI surveillance discouraged sustained use. Participants emphasized the need to challenge cultural norms that perpetuate stigma while advocating for culturally responsive AI systems capable of recognizing diverse cultural values and communication styles. By integrating technology adoption theories with social stigma, this study extends existing understandings of AI adoption beyond functional utility to include cultural and emotional dimensions. The findings provide practical insights for the design and implementation of culturally responsive AI chatbots and contribute to broader discussions on technology-mediated emotional support across diverse sociocultural contexts.

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