Background:
As populations age globally, social isolation and poor mental health among older adults living alone are critical concerns. Social robots have been introduced as potential tools to support psychological well-being, yet empirical evidence remains limited.

Objective:
This study investigated differences in psychosocial outcomes between social robot users and non-users among older adults living alone in metropolitan South Korea, and examined predictors of robot use while controlling for demographic factors.

Methods:
A total of 225 older adults (129 users, 96 non-users) were recruited from six Senior Welfare Centers between October and November 2023. A quantitative survey design was used to assess depressive symptoms, loneliness, and subjective well-being. Group differences were analyzed using independent samples t-tests.

Results:
Social robot users reported significantly lower depressive symptoms (M = 14.85, SD = 5.38) than non-users (M = 16.61, SD = 6.84; p < .05, Cohen’s d = –0.29). They also reported significantly higher subjective well-being (M = 10.08, SD = 2.80 vs. 9.19, SD = 2.60; p < .05, d = 0.33). No significant difference was found for loneliness (p > .05, d = –0.14).

Conclusions:
Findings indicate that social robots may reduce depressive symptoms and enhance subjective well-being by providing emotional support and consistent interaction. However, alleviating loneliness likely requires more complex social connections. This study provides essential evidence for developing human-centered care robot models to improve quality of life for older adults living alone.

Siryung Lee

Affiliation

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Can Social Robots Improve Mental Health for Older Adults Living Alone? Evidence from South Korea