More than half of South Koreans feel chronic resentment: Survey

SEOUL – A recent survey found that more than half of South Koreans are in a state of prolonged resentment, with nearly 70 per cent of respondents answering that they believe the world is unfair.

According to a survey conducted by Seoul National University’s (SNU) Graduate School of Public Health, 54.9 per cent of respondents were found to be in a state of chronic resentment, with 12.8 per cent of respondents indicating a severe level.

Among age groups, the highest proportion of those experiencing severe, prolonged resentment were found to be those in their 30s at 17.4 per cent, while the lowest proportion was found among individuals aged 60 and up at 9.5 per cent.

Those who identified themselves as belonging to the lower social class had the highest level of severe resentment at 16.5 per cent. But even among the upper class, 15 per cent reported feeling high resentment. Those in the middle class had a relatively lower rate at 9.2 per cent.

Perceptions of fairness were generally negative in the survey, with 69.5 per cent of respondents disagreeing with the statement, “the world is fundamentally fair”.

According to the research team, levels of resentment correlated with a belief that the world was unfair. The lower the level of belief that society was fair, the higher the level of resentment.

The research team added that the issues that most provoked feelings of resentment included government cover-ups and corruption, unethical behaviour by politicians and political parties, and disasters caused by poor safety oversight.

Nearly half of respondents – 47.1 per cent – stated that they had experienced severe stress in the past year that affected their health. People in their 40s at 55.4 per cent and in their 30s at 51.7 per cent, as well as those earning less than two million won (S$1,850) per month at 53.8 per cent, were found to be particularly vulnerable.

Major sources of stress for such respondents included personal or family health struggles, shifts in social relationships and changes in the political climate.

However, despite such widespread stress levels, many said they found it difficult to seek professional help, as some 56 per cent of respondents said they “would not seek support due to fear of stigma or prejudice”.

“Such findings show that the mental health of Koreans is troubling and that Korean society needs to take mental health more seriously,” said Dr Lee Yoon-kyoung, a researcher from SNU’s research team.

“There needs to be more practical and realistic improvements in mental health prevention and management programmes.” THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK