Young adults experience relatively high rates of mental health problems, while often facing barriers to seeking support. Anonymous online peer forums may provide an accessible alternative source of support, particularly when guided by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance safety and accessibility. The present study examines if self-efficacy predicts the need for an anonymous AI-guided peer forum and whether self-efficacy moderates the relationship between online social support and this need. 

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among young adults aged 18-25 years. Participant completed measures of general and social self-efficacy, emotional online support, social companionship, socioeconomic status (SES), residential context, and the need for an anonymous AI-guided forum. Multiple regression and moderation analyses were conducted. The final sample consisted of 119 participants for the main regression analysis, and 62 participants for the moderation analysis. 

Contrary to expectations, neither general nor social self-efficacy significantly predicted the need for an anonymous AI-guided platform. Furthermore, none of the hypothesized moderation effects were supported. General and social self-efficacy did not moderate the relationship between emotional online social support or perceived companionship and the need for an anonymous AI-guided forum. SES showed a small negative association with the need for an anonymous AI-guided forum, emotional online social support was positively correlated with this need. 

These findings suggest that self-efficacy may not be a key determinant of young adults’ need for an anonymous AI-guided platform. However, the study was substantially underpowered, and replication with larger samples is necessary before firm conclusions can be drawn.