Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology
Psychometric validation of the AI academic phobia scale for pre-service teachers: A confirmatory factor analysis
Karthikeyan P 1 * , Parthiban G 2, K. Thiyagu 3 * , Durgaprasad Sahoo 4, S. Raja Kumar 5, A. Vences Cyril 6
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1 Christ University,Bangalore-560029, Karnataka, India
2 Sri K. Ramachandra Naidu College of Education, Sankarankovil, Tenkasi District, Tamil Nadu, India
3 Department of Education, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi District,, Karnataka, India
4 Department of Education, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi District, Karnataka, India
5 Thiagarajar College of Preceptors, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
6 M.V.M. Chellamuthu Alagurathinam College of Education, Angu Nagar, Karur By Pass, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, India
* Corresponding Author
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Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, 2026 - Volume 8 Issue 3, Article No: e46699
https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202646699

Article Type: Research Article

Published Online: 01 Sep 2026

Views: 110 | Downloads: 45

ABSTRACT
The increasing integration of artificial intelligence into education has created new opportunities for teaching and learning while introducing psychological challenges that may influence AI adoption among future educators. This study aimed to develop and psychometrically validate the AI Academic Phobia Scale, a multidimensional instrument designed to assess AI-related psychological responses among pre-service teachers. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with pre-service teachers from teacher education institutions in India. The scale was developed using a systematic psychometric approach that included theory-driven item generation, expert review, face validation, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and comprehensive assessments of reliability and validity. The findings supported a four-dimensional structure comprising Learning Anxiety, Professional Threat Fear, Ethical and Privacy Concern, and Low AI Self-Efficacy. The confirmatory analysis supported the measurement model, with a satisfactory overall fit. Reliability and validity were supported through internal consistency, composite reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity procedures. The findings demonstrate that the scale is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing AI-related psychological barriers among pre-service teachers. For teacher education institutions, the instrument serves as a practical diagnostic tool to identify readiness gaps before designing AI-focused professional development. For curriculum developers, it provides an evidence base to embed AI literacy, ethical reasoning, and data privacy content into teacher preparation programs. For researchers and policymakers, it offers a validated measure to track AI readiness over time and across institutional and cultural contexts, aligned with national and international priorities for digital transformation in education.
KEYWORDS
artificial intelligence in education AI academic phobia confirmatory factor analysis exploratory factor analysis pre-service teachers psychometric validation scale development
In-text citation: (P et al., 2026)
Reference: P, K., G, P., Thiyagu, K., Sahoo, D., Raja Kumar, S., & Vences Cyril, A. (2026). Psychometric validation of the AI academic phobia scale for pre-service teachers: A confirmatory factor analysis. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, 8(3), e46699. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202646699
In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: P K, G P, Thiyagu K, Sahoo D, Raja Kumar S, Vences Cyril A. Psychometric validation of the AI academic phobia scale for pre-service teachers: A confirmatory factor analysis. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology. 2026;8(3), e46699. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202646699
In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: P K, G P, Thiyagu K, Sahoo D, Raja Kumar S, Vences Cyril A. Psychometric validation of the AI academic phobia scale for pre-service teachers: A confirmatory factor analysis. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology. 2026;8(3):e46699. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202646699
In-text citation: (P et al., 2026)
Reference: P, Karthikeyan, Parthiban G, K. Thiyagu, Durgaprasad Sahoo, S. Raja Kumar, and A. Vences Cyril. "Psychometric validation of the AI academic phobia scale for pre-service teachers: A confirmatory factor analysis". Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology 2026 8 no. 3 (2026): e46699. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202646699
In-text citation: (P et al., 2026)
Reference: P, K., G, P., Thiyagu, K., Sahoo, D., Raja Kumar, S., and Vences Cyril, A. (2026). Psychometric validation of the AI academic phobia scale for pre-service teachers: A confirmatory factor analysis. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, 8(3), e46699. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202646699
In-text citation: (P et al., 2026)
Reference: P, Karthikeyan et al. "Psychometric validation of the AI academic phobia scale for pre-service teachers: A confirmatory factor analysis". Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, vol. 8, no. 3, 2026, e46699. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202646699
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