Yale Parenting Center New Haven-CT, June 2014

Technological innovations have changed the way that mental healthcare interventions are delivered. In recent years, robots have been integrated into treatments for multiple mental health problems. To clarify public opinion regarding the integration of robots into psychological treatments, this study assessed parents' reaction to robot-assisted therapy as a treatment option for children with disruptive behavior problems. Parents from a community sample (N = 100) were presented with a brief clinical description of a child with disruptive behavior problems and evaluated (through treatment acceptability ratings and positive-negative evaluation scores) three different treatment options for that child: a robot-assisted therapy, an Internet-based treatment, and a no-treatment comparison group. In addition, participants provided demographic information as well as information on their own experiences with mental health care and their use of technology. This study was designed to address the following questions: Is robot-assisted therapy considered an acceptable form of treatment for children with disruptive behavior problems? Is the acceptability of robot-assisted therapy similar to Internet-based treatment? Is robot-assisted therapy more acceptable than waiting to see if the problem improves on its own (i.e., no-treatment comparison)?

技术创新已然重塑了精神卫生干预服务的实施路径。近年来，机器人已被整合至多种精神心理问题的临床治疗当中。为厘清公众对于机器人融入心理治疗的认知态度，本研究针对品行障碍（disruptive behavior problems）儿童的机器人辅助治疗（robot-assisted therapy）方案，评估了家长的接受反应。本研究招募了社区样本（N=100）的家长作为被试，向其呈现一例品行障碍儿童的简要临床描述，并通过治疗接受度评分与正负向评价得分，让他们对该儿童的三种治疗方案进行评估：机器人辅助治疗、基于互联网的治疗（Internet-based treatment）以及无治疗对照组。此外，被试还需提供自身人口统计学信息、个人精神卫生服务接触经历以及科技使用情况相关资料。本研究旨在解答以下核心问题：机器人辅助治疗是否可被视为品行障碍儿童的可接受治疗方案？机器人辅助治疗的接受度与基于互联网的治疗是否相当？机器人辅助治疗的接受度是否高于等待症状自行缓解（即无治疗对照组）？