Mazuz Keren, Yamazaki Ryuji
The School of Management, Hadassah Academic College, Jerusalem, Israel.
Faculty of Glocal Policy Management and Communication, Yamanashi Prefectural University, Kofu, Japan.
Front Robot AI. 2025 Mar 31;12:1476063. doi: 10.3389/frobt.2025.1476063. eCollection 2025.
This study explores the integration of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) principles into the development of companion robots for elderly trauma survivors, particularly those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The psychological effects of trauma, especially in aging populations, can complicate mental and physical health, highlighting the need for tailored technological solutions.
The research involved two focus groups with Holocaust survivors (N = 12) who engaged directly with a social robot. Discussions explored their needs, barriers, and coping strategies based on their longitudinal experiences of trauma, resilience, and aging. Transcripts were thematically analyzed, identifying key TIC-related themes-safety, trust, self-compassion, and self-efficacy-in relation to engagement with companion robots.
Findings revealed that trauma survivors face significant challenges in communication and technology use. Safe and trusting environments were fundamental for meaningful engagement with robots. Self-compassion and self-efficacy emerged as essential to overcoming initial barriers, indicating that TIC-informed design features could facilitate better uptake and acceptance.
The study emphasizes the importance of incorporating TIC principles to ensure these robots meet the complex needs of trauma survivors. Findings also underscore the personal histories, ongoing changes in recollecting the trauma, and the need for stable, empathetic interactions highlights the complexity of designing assistive robots for profoundly affected populations. This study contributes to digital mental health and aging technologies by emphasizing stability, empathy, and user-centered design in developing assistive robotics as a universal, scalable solution.
本研究探讨将创伤知情护理（TIC）原则融入为老年创伤幸存者，特别是患有创伤后应激障碍（PTSD）的幸存者开发陪伴机器人的过程中。创伤的心理影响，尤其是在老年人群体中，会使身心健康变得复杂，这凸显了需要量身定制的技术解决方案。
该研究涉及两个焦点小组，共有12名大屠杀幸存者直接与社交机器人互动。讨论基于他们在创伤、恢复力和衰老方面的长期经历，探讨了他们的需求、障碍和应对策略。对访谈记录进行了主题分析，确定了与参与陪伴机器人互动相关的关键TIC主题——安全、信任、自我同情和自我效能感。
研究结果表明，创伤幸存者在沟通和技术使用方面面临重大挑战。安全和信任的环境是与机器人进行有意义互动的基础。自我同情和自我效能感对于克服最初的障碍至关重要，这表明以TIC为导向的设计特点可以促进更好的采用和接受。
该研究强调纳入TIC原则的重要性，以确保这些机器人满足创伤幸存者的复杂需求。研究结果还强调了个人经历、回忆创伤时的持续变化，以及稳定、共情互动的必要性，凸显了为受影响严重的人群设计辅助机器人的复杂性。本研究通过在开发辅助机器人作为通用、可扩展的解决方案时强调稳定性、共情和以用户为中心的设计，为数字心理健康和老龄化技术做出了贡献。
