AI-Powered Mental Health Chatbots and Human Capital Resilience: A Phenomenological Study of Trauma-Induced Labour Turnover among Agripreneur Workers in Southwest Cameroon

Abstract

Abstract This phenomenological study explored the perceived potential of AI-powered mental health chatbots to enhance human capital resilience and mitigate trauma-induced labour turnover among agripreneur workers in Southwest Cameroon. Through semi-structured in-depth interviews with 20 participants and two focus group discussions comprising 10 participants in Tiko, Limbe, Muyuka, and Ekona, the study examined workers' lived experiences of conflict-induced trauma and their perceptions of AI-powered mental health interventions. Thematic analysis revealed that conflict-induced trauma manifests as psychological distress, absenteeism, and labour turnover. Participants expressed favourable perceptions regarding the feasibility and acceptability of AI-powered mental health chatbots, citing anonymity and accessibility as key facilitators, while trust, privacy, and language concerns emerged as significant barriers. Participants expressed hope that such interventions could improve their capacity to work, suggesting perceived potential effectiveness in enhancing human capital resilience. The study concludes that AI-powered mental health chatbots represent a promising perceived intervention for addressing trauma-induced labour turnover in conflict-affected agribusiness contexts, though significant barriers to adoption must be addressed. Recommendations include investing in culturally sensitive AI interventions, incorporating local languages, implementing trauma-informed workplace policies, and conducting controlled trials to evaluate actual effectiveness. Keywords: Human Capital Resilience, Agribusiness, AI-Powered Mental Health Chatbots, Trauma-Induced Labour Turnover, Sustainable Livelihood Framework, Anglophone Crisis, Southwest Cameroon