Impression of and Preference for Portable Assistive Devices with Wooden, Plastic or Metal Outer Panels among Mothers of Individuals with Autism

To evaluate the suitability of wood for welfare use, the impression of, and preference for mobile phones with three different outer panel materials (metal, plastic, or wood) were examined using the Semantic Differential method. The mobile phones are intended to be used as portable assistive devices for mothers of autistic individuals. The results were subjected to factor analysis using the following four factors: “durability and maintainability”, “image of material”, “quality” and “surface texture”. The following results were obtained using multiple regression analyses: 1) both favorable impression and one’s interest to purchase are highly affected by the surface texture, 2) although the image of material affects favorable impression, it does not influence one’s interest to purchase, and 3) stain resistance contributes significantly to one’s interest to purchase, but does not affect favorable impression. It was found that the unique texture of the wood surface affects both favorable impression and one’s interest to purchase; however, the image of material of the wood affects the favorable impression but does not influence one’s interest to purchase.