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KMID : 1124020220380030115
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Korean Social Security Studies
2022 Volume.38 No. 3 p.115 ~ p.152
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The Psychological Cost of Social Isolation: Evidence from an International Comparison
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Kim Seong-A
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Abstract
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This study aims to estimate the psychological cost of social isolation in advanced countries. From the point of view of social capital and social exclusion, social isolation is a state in which normal social activities continue due to a lack of interaction with others or groups that can give and receive empathy and help. The principal indicator consists of those with no social support systems to count on when they are in trouble. Using the psychological cost estimation model of unemployment and the Gallup World Poll, I estimated the psychological cost of social isolation to restore happiness in OECD member countries. Results show that the socially isolated population in Korea needs 4.8 times the income to restore the happiness level equivalent to one household income unit, which is higher than that of all OECD member countries. The psychological cost of unemployment in all OECD member countries is 2.8 times, which is lower than the psychological cost of social isolation, which is 3.8 times. However, the psychological cost of unemployment in Korea is 0.9 times that of one unit of household income, confirming the seriousness of the social isolation problem in Korea. Thus, social isolation, as a new type of social risk, calls for the necessity of actively responding through community solidarity and social policy.
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KEYWORD
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Social Isolation, Psychological Cost, International Comparison, Gallup World Poll
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