User Concerns Regarding Social Robots for Mood Regulation: A Case Study on the “Sunday Blues”

Zhuochao Peng; Jiaxin Xu; Jun Hu; Haian Xue; Laurens A.G. Kolks; Pieter M.A. Desmet

doi:10.1007/978-981-95-2379-5_5

User Concerns Regarding Social Robots for Mood Regulation: A Case Study on the “Sunday Blues”

Zhuochao Peng^*, Jiaxin Xu, Jun Hu, Haian Xue, Laurens A.G. Kolks, Pieter M.A. Desmet

^*Corresponding author for this work

Form and Experience

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volume › Conference contribution › Scientific › peer-review

Abstract

While recent research highlights the potential of social robots to support mood regulation, little is known about how prospective users view their integration into everyday life. To explore this, we conducted an exploratory case study that used a speculative robot concept—Mora—to provoke reflection and facilitate meaningful discussion about using social robots to manage subtle, day-to-day emotional experiences. We focused on the “Sunday Blues,” a common dip in mood that occurs at the end of the weekend, as a relatable context in which to explore individuals’ insights. Using a video prototype and a co-constructing stories method, we engaged 15 participants in imagining interactions with Mora and discussing their expectations, doubts, and concerns. The study surfaced a range of nuanced reflections around the attributes of social robots like empathy, intervention effectiveness, and ethical boundaries, which we translated into design considerations for future research and development in human-robot interaction.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Social Robotics + AI - 17th International Conference, ICSR+AI 2025, Proceedings
Editors	Mariacarla Staffa, John-John Cabibihan, Bruno Siciliano, Shuzhi Sam Ge, Leon Bodenhagen, Adriana Tapus, Silvia Rossi, Filippo Cavallo, Laura Fiorini, More Editors
Place of Publication	Cham
Publisher	Springer
Pages	59-79
Number of pages	21
ISBN (Print)	9789819523788
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-2379-5_5
Publication status	Published - 2026
Event	17th International Conference on Social Robotics, ICSR+AI 2025 - Naples, Italy Duration: 10 Sept 2025 → 12 Sept 2025 https://icsr2025.eu/

Publication series

Name	Lecture Notes in Computer Science
Publisher	Springer
Volume	16131 LNAI
ISSN (Print)	0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)	1611-3349

Conference

Conference	17th International Conference on Social Robotics, ICSR+AI 2025
Country/Territory	Italy
City	Naples
Period	10/09/25 → 12/09/25
Internet address	https://icsr2025.eu/

Bibliographical note

Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository as part of the Taverne amendment. More information about this copyright law amendment can be found at https://www.openaccess.nl. Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Design consideration
Human-robot interaction
Mental health and well-being
Mood regulation
Social robots

Access to Document

10.1007/978-981-95-2379-5_5

978-981-95-2379-5_5Final published version, 1.55 MB

Cite this

Peng, Z., Xu, J., Hu, J., Xue, H., Kolks, L. A. G., & Desmet, P. M. A. (2026). User Concerns Regarding Social Robots for Mood Regulation: A Case Study on the “Sunday Blues”. In M. Staffa, J.-J. Cabibihan, B. Siciliano, S. S. Ge, L. Bodenhagen, A. Tapus, S. Rossi, F. Cavallo, L. Fiorini, & More Editors (Eds.), Social Robotics + AI - 17th International Conference, ICSR+AI 2025, Proceedings (pp. 59-79). (Lecture Notes in Computer Science; Vol. 16131 LNAI). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-2379-5_5

Peng, Zhuochao ; Xu, Jiaxin ; Hu, Jun et al. / User Concerns Regarding Social Robots for Mood Regulation : A Case Study on the “Sunday Blues”. Social Robotics + AI - 17th International Conference, ICSR+AI 2025, Proceedings. editor / Mariacarla Staffa ; John-John Cabibihan ; Bruno Siciliano ; Shuzhi Sam Ge ; Leon Bodenhagen ; Adriana Tapus ; Silvia Rossi ; Filippo Cavallo ; Laura Fiorini ; More Editors. Cham : Springer, 2026. pp. 59-79 (Lecture Notes in Computer Science).

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abstract = "While recent research highlights the potential of social robots to support mood regulation, little is known about how prospective users view their integration into everyday life. To explore this, we conducted an exploratory case study that used a speculative robot concept—Mora—to provoke reflection and facilitate meaningful discussion about using social robots to manage subtle, day-to-day emotional experiences. We focused on the “Sunday Blues,” a common dip in mood that occurs at the end of the weekend, as a relatable context in which to explore individuals{\textquoteright} insights. Using a video prototype and a co-constructing stories method, we engaged 15 participants in imagining interactions with Mora and discussing their expectations, doubts, and concerns. The study surfaced a range of nuanced reflections around the attributes of social robots like empathy, intervention effectiveness, and ethical boundaries, which we translated into design considerations for future research and development in human-robot interaction.",

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note = "Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository as part of the Taverne amendment. More information about this copyright law amendment can be found at https://www.openaccess.nl. Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.; 17th International Conference on Social Robotics, ICSR+AI 2025 ; Conference date: 10-09-2025 Through 12-09-2025",

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Peng, Z, Xu, J, Hu, J, Xue, H, Kolks, LAG & Desmet, PMA 2026, User Concerns Regarding Social Robots for Mood Regulation: A Case Study on the “Sunday Blues”. in M Staffa, J-J Cabibihan, B Siciliano, SS Ge, L Bodenhagen, A Tapus, S Rossi, F Cavallo, L Fiorini & More Editors (eds), Social Robotics + AI - 17th International Conference, ICSR+AI 2025, Proceedings. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 16131 LNAI, Springer, Cham, pp. 59-79, 17th International Conference on Social Robotics, ICSR+AI 2025, Naples, Italy, 10/09/25. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-2379-5_5

User Concerns Regarding Social Robots for Mood Regulation: A Case Study on the “Sunday Blues”. / Peng, Zhuochao; Xu, Jiaxin; Hu, Jun et al.
Social Robotics + AI - 17th International Conference, ICSR+AI 2025, Proceedings. ed. / Mariacarla Staffa; John-John Cabibihan; Bruno Siciliano; Shuzhi Sam Ge; Leon Bodenhagen; Adriana Tapus; Silvia Rossi; Filippo Cavallo; Laura Fiorini; More Editors. Cham: Springer, 2026. p. 59-79 (Lecture Notes in Computer Science; Vol. 16131 LNAI).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volume › Conference contribution › Scientific › peer-review

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AU - Desmet, Pieter M.A.

N1 - Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository as part of the Taverne amendment. More information about this copyright law amendment can be found at https://www.openaccess.nl. Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.

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AB - While recent research highlights the potential of social robots to support mood regulation, little is known about how prospective users view their integration into everyday life. To explore this, we conducted an exploratory case study that used a speculative robot concept—Mora—to provoke reflection and facilitate meaningful discussion about using social robots to manage subtle, day-to-day emotional experiences. We focused on the “Sunday Blues,” a common dip in mood that occurs at the end of the weekend, as a relatable context in which to explore individuals’ insights. Using a video prototype and a co-constructing stories method, we engaged 15 participants in imagining interactions with Mora and discussing their expectations, doubts, and concerns. The study surfaced a range of nuanced reflections around the attributes of social robots like empathy, intervention effectiveness, and ethical boundaries, which we translated into design considerations for future research and development in human-robot interaction.

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Peng Z, Xu J, Hu J, Xue H, Kolks LAG , Desmet PMA. User Concerns Regarding Social Robots for Mood Regulation: A Case Study on the “Sunday Blues”. In Staffa M, Cabibihan JJ, Siciliano B, Ge SS, Bodenhagen L, Tapus A, Rossi S, Cavallo F, Fiorini L, More Editors, editors, Social Robotics + AI - 17th International Conference, ICSR+AI 2025, Proceedings. Cham: Springer. 2026. p. 59-79. (Lecture Notes in Computer Science). doi: 10.1007/978-981-95-2379-5_5