The acceptance of the potential use of social robots for children with autism spectrum disorder by Indonesian occupational therapists: a mixed methods study

Abstract

Purpose

Social robots have shown positive effects in treating children with autism spectrum disorder. The development of social robots in Indonesia has enabled their potential use in occupational therapy. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the acceptance of the potential use of social robots by Indonesian occupational therapists in clinical practice.

Methods

This study employed a mixed methods explanatory sequential design. An adapted unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model was utilised for the quantitative phase. The questionnaire explored the acceptance of social robots. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews with reflexive thematic analysis were conducted. The second phase aimed to explain the reasons behind the quantitative results and factors related to the acceptance of social robots in therapy.

Results

Occupational therapists showed high interest in using social robots in their sessions, as indicated by the significant positive relationship between performance expectancy and potential use. Three influential factors affecting acceptance emerged in the qualitative phase: occupational therapists’ characteristics and competencies, social robots and occupational therapy interventions, and environmental influence.

Conclusions

Indonesian occupational therapists have shown interest in using social robots. However, there are challenges regarding the practical application of social robots concerning individual differences in the factors that influence acceptance.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Social robots have been perceived as beneficial intervention tools for improving occupational therapists’ performance with children with autism spectrum disorder.

• Environmental factors significantly influence the acceptance of social robots.

• The attitudes of occupational therapists influence their acceptance towards the potential use of social robots.

Keywords:

• Occupational therapy
• autism spectrum disorder
• social robot acceptance
• UTAUT model
• mixed methods study

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Indonesian Occupational Therapists Association for its support and assistance during the recruitment process and Chirathip Thawisuk for the valuable contributions to this study. Finally, we thank all the participants for their consent and keenness.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

All pertinent study data have been included in this article. The raw data are confidential and will not be shared for ethical reasons.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Tokyo Metropolitan University.

Notes on contributors

Dwi Komariyah

Dwi Komariyah is an occupational therapy practitioner in Indonesia, currently taking a role as a visiting researcher at the Department of Occupational Therapy of Tokyo Metropolitan University. Research interests are assistive technology, social robotics and paediatric rehabilitation.

Kaoru Inoue

Kaoru Inoue is an associate Professor at the Department of Occupational Therapy of Tokyo Metropolitan University. With an educational background in science and engineering, her main work is on the development of support equipment, technology and systems from clients’ and caregivers’ perspectives. This is in addition to the promotion of a “total win” relationship with the government and private companies, as well as collaboration with related individuals and organisations.

Natsuka Suyama

Natsuka Suyama is a specially appointed associate professor at the Department of Occupational Therapy of Tokyo Metropolitan University. Her research areas are life sciences and rehabilitation science.

Cahya Buwana

Cahya Buwana is a senior occupational therapist, occupational therapy supervisor, Dharmais Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia, currently hired as a visiting associate professor at the Department of Occupational Therapy of Tokyo Metropolitan University. Research interests are in assistive technology and occupational science.

Yuko Ito

Yuko Ito is a professor at the Department of Occupational Therapy of Tokyo Metropolitan University. Her research interests are in sensory integration, developmental disorders, autism spectrum disorder, school-based occupational therapy, sensory-friendly and rehabilitation.