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KMID : 1118520210180070652
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Psychiatry Investigation
2021 Volume.18 No. 7 p.652 ~ p.660
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Social Isolation, Loneliness and Their Relationships with Mental Health Status in South Korea
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Kim Myung-Hyun
An Ji-Hyun
Lee Hye-Rin
Jeong Seo-Hyun
Hwang Soo-Jin
Hong Jin-Pyo
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Abstract
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Objective: This study aims to investigate the prevalence and psychological impact of social isolation and loneliness in South Korea. Loneliness and social isolation have been regarded as a risk to both physical and mental health. However, most studies have focused on the elderly; hence, there are limited studies on the characteristics of socially isolated or lonely people considering age.
Methods: A sample of 1,700 participants was selected from three major cities in South Korea. In-person interviews were conducted to evaluate loneliness, social isolation and mental health status.
Results: Among the participants, the prevalence of social isolation and loneliness was 17.8% and 4.1%, respectively. Males decreased the odds of loneliness (AOR 0.49, 95% CI=0.28-0.87), while increasing the odds of social isolation (AOR 1.44, 95% CI=1.12-1.86) after adjusting for age and sex. Greater depressive and social phobic symptoms were associated with increased odds of loneliness and social isolation.
Conclusion: Social isolation and loneliness are prevalent among Koreans and associated with depression, social phobic symptoms, and suicidality. This study provides a foundation for further research to investigate nationwide prevalence and a more in-depth analysis of loneliness and social isolation.
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KEYWORD
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Social isolation, Loneliness, Mental health, South Korea, Prevalence
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