Online Learning Self-Efficacy, AI Anxiety, and Digital Well-Being in Engineering Students

A Predictive Model

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijoe.v22i05.59863

Keywords:

Online Learning Self-Efficacy (OLSE), AI Anxiety, Digital Well-Being, Engineering Education

Abstract


This study investigates the relationships among online learning self-efficacy (OLSE), artificial intelligence anxiety (AIA), and digital well-being (DWB) among undergraduate engineering students from six Jordanian universities (N = 428). Using validated self-report measures and a cross-sectional design, descriptive results indicated moderate OLSE (M = 3.24), moderately high AIA (M = 3.97), and moderate-to-low DWB (M = 2.41). A hypothesized mediation model was supported: OLSE was negatively associated with AIA (β = −0.64, p < .001) and positively associated with DWB (β = 0.52, p < .001), while AIA was negatively associated with DWB (β = −0.33, p < .001). The indirect effect of OLSE on DWB through reduced AIA was significant (β = 0.21, 95% CI [0.12, 0.34]), indicating partial mediation. The final model explained 76% of the variance in DWB. These findings highlight the importance of efficacy-building and AI-literacy supports to reduce AI-related anxiety and promote sustainable DWB in AI-enabled engineering education.

Author Biographies

Mais Al-Nasa'h, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan

Mais I. AL-Nasa’h is an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling and Special Education at The University of Jordan. She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, USA. Her research interests include psychological wellness across developmental stages, family mental health, and the impact of technology and artificial intelligence on human behavior and emotional well-being. (EMAIL: m.alnasah@ju.edu.jo).

Luae Al-Tarawneh, Princess Sumaya University for Technology, Amman, Jordan

Luae A.  Al-Tarawneh (Senior Member, IEEE) is an Associate Professor and Head of the Communications Engineering Department at Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT), Jordan. He received his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, USA. His research interests include optical communications, wireless communications, and engineering education. (EMAIL: l.altarawneh@psut.edu.jo)

Esam A. AlQaralleh, Princess Sumaya University for Technology, Amman, Jordan

Esam A. Al-Qaralleh (Senior Member, IEEE) is a Professor of Computer Engineering at Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT), Jordan. He received his Ph.D. in Electronics from National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan. His research interests include embedded and intelligent systems, IoT applications, AI-based video and image processing, and engineering education. (EMAIL: qaralleh@psut.edu.jo)

Nizar Allabadi, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan

Nizar R. Allabadi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at The University of Jordan. He earned his Ph.D. in Measurement and Evaluation from The University of Jordan. His research interests include educational measurement, Item Response Theory, and assessment in higher education. (EMAIL: n.labadi@ju.edu.jo)

 

 

Souad Ghaith, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan

Souad M. Ghaith is Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling at The Hashemite University, Jordan. She earned her Ph.D. from The University of Jordan. Her research interests focus on psychological well-being and social adjustment across developmental stages, school counseling, family and couple counseling, and evidence-based interventions. She also serves as Chair of the Digital Mental Health Council at the Global Academy of Digital Health (United Kingdom). (EMAIL: drsghaith@hu.edu.jo)

Sami Aldalahmeh, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan

Sami A. Aldalahmeh (Senior Member, IEEE) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Smart Systems and Communications Engineering at Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Leeds, Leeds, U.K. His research interests include distributed detection and estimation, wireless sensor networks, stochastic geometry models, and sensor signal processing.  (EMAIL: s.aldalahmeh@zuj.edu.jo)

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Published

2026-05-11

How to Cite

Al-Nasa’h, M., Al-Tarawneh, L., AlQaralleh, E. A., Allabadi, N., Ghaith, S., & Aldalahmeh, S. (2026). Online Learning Self-Efficacy, AI Anxiety, and Digital Well-Being in Engineering Students: A Predictive Model. International Journal of Online and Biomedical Engineering (iJOE), 22(05), pp. 4–21. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijoe.v22i05.59863

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 05 (2026)

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Papers

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Copyright (c) 2026 Mais Al-Nasa'h, Luae Al-Tarawneh, Esam A. AlQaralleh, Nizar Allabadi, Souad Ghaith, Sami Aldalahmeh

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.