{
  "abstract": "Introduction: As AI evolves into agent-based forms, AI threat perception has become a defining workplace concern. Informed by Cognitive Appraisal Theory and Protection Motivation Theory, this cross-sectional study investigates how AI threat perception relates to post-adoptive AI agent engagement via dual paths of AI self-efficacy and defensive motivation.\n\nMethods: Semi-structured interviews (N = 13) first grounded scale adaptation. Structural equation modeling was then conducted on data collected from 387 knowledge workers, followed by multi-group analysis.\n\nResults: The structural model demonstrates that AI threat perception is indirectly associated with post-adoptive engagement through both mediators, exhibiting an indirect-only pattern. Multi-group analysis further reveals demographic and contextual boundary conditions, showing that higher education significantly amplifies defensive motivation (the link is stronger among postgraduates), while exploratory career-stage and regional comparisons indicate that the self-efficacy pathway is stronger among early-to-mid career professionals and workers in eastern regions.\n\nDiscussion: The study highlights the concurrent coexistence of capability beliefs and defensive intentions in post-adoptive use, while pointing to the need for longitudinal research to trace their temporal dynamics. These findings refine our understanding of technology threat perception and inform human-agent collaboration.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "School of Economics and Finance, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 3,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Guilin Yang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Mingwei Feng"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Wanping Yang"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/bbgzpavhns6g7.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1887571",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13735560/",
  "id": "bbgzpavhns6g7",
  "issns": [
    "1664-1078"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1887571",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Original Research"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1802|Technology Adoption and User Behaviour"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223169710",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1887571/pdf",
  "pmcid": "PMC13735560",
  "pmid": "42991240",
  "published": "2026-10-22",
  "publisher": "Frontiers Media SA",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/bbgzpavhns6g7.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-09T12:21:13Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13735560",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1887571"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [],
  "title": "How AI threat perception relates to post-adoptive AI agent engagement: the dual paths of self-efficacy and defensive motivation",
  "title_text": "How AI threat perception relates to post-adoptive AI agent engagement: the dual paths of self-efficacy and defensive motivation",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-09T12:21:13Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/bbgzpavhns6g7",
  "venue": "Frontiers in Psychology",
  "versions": []
}