The Effectiveness of Social Robots in Stress Management Interventions for University Students

Stress affects many students, leaving them vulnerable to burnout. Social robots can provide personalized and non-judgmental support for individuals to engage in behavioral and cognitive therapy. This study investigated the effectiveness of a robot-assisted stress management intervention in reducing stress among university students. In a between-subjects design, students practiced a deep breathing exercise, either guided by a Pepper robot or using a laptop. To evaluate the effect of each technology, Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) survey were collected. The results from PSQ and GSR showed no difference between the two technologies in reducing stress subjectively and physiologically. However, UTAUT reports indicated that participants in the Robot group were more inclined to use the robot in future practices, and that a more positive impression of the robot contributed to a stronger reduction of their self-reported stress levels.