Positive Psychological Well-Being and Determinants of Social Robot Acceptability Among Patients With Heart Failure: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study

Abstract Background Social robots (SRs) are innovative tools in health care, offering both medical and psychological support for patients with heart failure (HF). For successful implementation, patient acceptability of SRs is crucial. Living in urban areas and having a lower comorbidity burden have been linked to higher acceptability; however, the role of psychological factors remains underexplored. Objective This study aimed to examine the associations between negative (eg, depression and anxiety) and positive (eg, optimism) psychological factors and personality traits (eg, openness and extraversion) with SR acceptability in patients with HF. Methods Patients with HF watched brief videos about SRs and completed validated measures of depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), anxiety symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), positive psychological well-being (Brief Inventory of Thriving), and personality traits (Ten-Item Personality Inventory). Medical information was extracted from patients’ records. SR acceptability was assessed using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). Pearson correlations and multiple linear regression, adjusted for age, sex, smart technology experience, urbanicity, and comorbidities, were conducted. Results Of the 101 patients (women: n=36, 35.6%, mean age 68, SD 10 y), 23% (23/101) scored in the clinical range for depression, and 17% (17/101) scored in the clinical range for anxiety. Well-being scores were moderate, and conscientiousness and agreeableness were the most common. UTAUT behavioral intention was moderate; 69% (67/97) of participants were likely to use an SR if available. Well-being scores correlated positively with SR acceptability in 4 of 5 UTAUT subscales, whereas no significant bivariate associations were observed for psychological distress or personality traits. In the multiple regression models, higher Brief Inventory of Thriving scores were associated with increased SR acceptability, including UTAUT facilitating conditions ( B =0.17; P =.01) and behavioral intention ( B =0.17; P =.04), independent of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Conclusions Psychological well-being is associated with determinants of SR acceptability in patients with HF, while psychological distress and personality traits are not associated with these determinants. These patient-level factors ought to be examined more closely before SR implementation.