Hubungan Social Withdrawal dengan Loneliness yang Dimediasi Intensitas Penggunaan AI Virtual Companion Pada Remaja

Adolescence is a developmental phase characterized by an increasing need for social relationships and emotional connectedness. However, some adolescents show a tendency to withdraw from social environments or social withdrawal, which can contribute to feelings of loneliness. Along with technological development, adolescents are increasingly exposed to the use of AI virtual companions as an alternative form of interaction. This study aims to examine the relationship between social withdrawal and loneliness among adolescents, as well as the role of the intensity of AI virtual companion use as a mediating variable. This study employed a quantitative approach with a correlational design. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling, involving 102 adolescents aged 10-21 years in South Sumatra. Data analysis was conducted using simple linear regression and mediation analysis with Hayes’ PROCESS Macro. The results showed a significant relationship between social withdrawal and loneliness (B = 0.298, p < 0.05). In addition, there was a significant negative relationship between social withdrawal and the intensity of AI use (B = -0.934, p < 0.05), while the intensity of AI use was not significantly related to loneliness (p > 0.05). The mediation analysis indicated that the intensity of AI virtual companion use did not act as a mediator in the relationship between social withdrawal and loneliness.