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

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, 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.