Italian Journal of Health Education, Sports and Inclusive Didactics
PRECLINICAL USE OF AI FOR THE EARLY DETECTION OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN ADOLESCENCE: FEASIBILITY OF A HYBRID APPROACH TO THE HELPING RELATIONSHIP
Abstract
More than 70% of adolescents use AI to seek emotional support, sharing experiences of anxiety, social isolation, and self-harm, often associated with undiagnosed psychological disorders. This article explores the potential of conversational AI for the early identification of psychological distress during adolescence. The literature indicates that chatbots can facilitate emotional self-disclosure, generating potential pedagogical and preclinical benefits. However, significant concerns remain, including simulated empathy, sycophancy, relational dependency, and limitations in crisis recognition, which preclude any replacement of clinical professionals. Accordingly, a hybrid model is proposed in which a DSM-5-TR-informed chatbot functions as a threshold device, collecting early indicators of distress and progressively directing adolescents toward professional care. The findings highlight the need for empirical validation and the development of shared ethical frameworks to ensure the responsible integration of these technologies into mental health support pathways (Common Sense Media, 2025; SIMA, 2023).
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References
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.32043/gsd.v10i3.1723
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Italian Journal of Health Education, Sports and Inclusive Didactics
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