Table 2.

Multinomial logistic regression analysis of the degree of acceptance of robots and pets by middle-aged and older adults (N=240).^a

Characteristic		Preference of robot or pet as a companion
		Both robots and pets are highly acceptable (n=81, 33.8% [OR])	Prefer robots (n=42, 17.5% [OR])	Prefer pets (n=56, 23.3% [OR])
Age, years (reference: ≥75 years old)
	45-54	1.392	0.982	1.849
	55-64	0.896	1.953	1.649
	65-74	1.066	2.234	1.129
Number of comorbidities		0.877	1.688*	1.348
Lives alone		0.484	0.664	0.275
Male gender		0.863	1.173	1.646
Education level (reference: above university)
	Below primary school	0.939	0.645	1.593
	Secondary school/senior high school (higher vocational school)	0.759	0.370	1.080
Retired		0.555	1.015	0.771
Has experience using robots		0.933	0.734	0.358
Has experience using the internet		0.471	0.368	3.350
Can download and use apps		0.271	0.170*	0.159*
Has experience with keeping pets		3.527**	0.784	2.498*
Social support score		0.969	0.953	0.977
eHealth Literacy Scale score		1.084*	1.139**	1.100*

^aContrast group: neither robots nor pets are acceptable (n=61; 25.4%).

*P<.05; **P<.01; and ***P<.001.