AI-Narrated Awakening: Boosting Storytelling and Mental Health Against Digital Overwhelm

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence revolutionizes narrative therapy by functioning as a scalable "story coach" that generates personalized growth narratives from user inputs. AI platforms analyze social media stress and craft reframed empowerment tales, transforming Instagram-induced anxiety into strength-building arcs. While AI expands mental health accessibility through digital interventions, proliferating technologies simultaneously intensify information overload and psychological distress. This study examined how AI-narrated storytelling interventions influence mental health outcomes among individuals experiencing digital fatigue. AI-Narrated Awakening is conceptualized as a transformative process wherein AI-assisted narratives facilitate cognitive and emotional reorientation, enabling individuals to develop self-awareness, psychological resilience, and renewed perspective through reframed personal stories (Anderson & Chen, 2023). Storytelling Engagement encompasses cognitive absorption, emotional involvement, attentional focus, and narrative presence when interacting with story content (Green & Brock, 2000; Busselle & Bilandzic, 2009). Personal Growth refers to intentional, self-directed development of one's potential and psychological maturity through transformative experiences (Robitschek et al., 2012). Mental Health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being (World Health Organization, 2022), while Digital Overwhelm represents a state of psychological and cognitive exhaustion resulting from excessive exposure to digital information and communication technologies (Reinecke et al., 2017; Dhir et al., 2018). The aim of the present study is to examine the relationship and gender differences in AI-narrated storytelling's effectiveness for enhancing personal growth and wellbeing among high social media young adults, while accounting for digital overwhelm effects. The sample consisted of 100 participants aged 18-35 years drawn from university students and young professionals with high digital media usage. The study employed the Narrative Engagement Scale (NES), Social Media Fatigue Scale (SMFS), Personal Growth Initiative Scale-II Readiness subscale (PGIS-II), and WHO-5 Well-Being Index. The results were found significant and were discussed later.