Chinese Seniors’ Adoption Intention Toward Socially Assistive Robots for Aging in Place: The Role of Intergenerational and Family Structural Differences

Population aging in China presents significant economic, social, and healthcare challenges, exacerbated by cultural values and demographic policies (e.g., filial piety and one-child policy). While socially assistive robots (SARs) are increasingly recognized as promising solutions for aging-in-place, prior research has largely overlooked the unique cultural and family contexts in China, particularly intergenerational dynamics and structural differences between only-child and multi-child families. This study addresses this gap by examining the factors influencing seniors’ adoption intention toward SARs, with a focus on intergenerational differences (retired vs. unretired seniors, and seniors vs. adult children) and family structure. A self-administered online survey was conducted. Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that innovation characteristics like compatibility, trialability, and relative advantage positively influenced seniors’ perceived usefulness and enjoyment, while intrusiveness and social presence had negative impacts, which, in turn, influencing adoption intention. Social norms and self-efficacy also positively influenced adoption intention through perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment. Multi-group SEM revealed significant intergenerational and family structural differences. By integrating cultural, intergenerational, and structural family perspectives into technology adoption research, this study contributes to the limited literature on aging-related technology adoption in non-Western contexts through a comprehensive view and offers managerial insights for designing and promoting SARs in China.