Power or opportunity? Perceived inequality on life satisfaction explained by reduced trust in South Korea

IF 2.1 3区心理学 Q3 PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL

Asian Journal of Social Psychology Pub Date : 2024-04-05 DOI:10.1111/ajsp.12617

Joonha Park, Mohsen Joshanloo

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This paper presents new evidence linking different aspects of perceived inequality (education, employment, law enforcement, income and wealth, power, and gender) to life satisfaction. Using large‐scale national survey data, we examined the relationships between the six aspects of perceived inequality, life satisfaction, and generalized trust among South Koreans (N = 17,357). Exploratory structural equation modelling identified a two‐factor structure of perceived inequality: Opportunity Inequality (inequalities in education and employment) and Power Inequality (inequalities in income and wealth, law enforcement, power, and gender). Results from mediation analysis suggested that both aspects of inequality negatively predicted life satisfaction via reduced generalized trust. Those processes were consistent regardless of household income. The study underscores the critical impact that public perceptions of (in)equality in various opportunity and power aspects have on well‐being and trust and emphasizes the urgency of government and policy action to address the growing problem of inequality in South Korean society. The findings highlight the urgent need to address disparities and promote social harmony and well‐being in countries facing similar challenges.

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权力还是机会？在韩国，信任度降低可解释生活满意度上的不平等感

本文提供了将感知到的不平等的不同方面（教育、就业、执法、收入和财富、权力和性别）与生活满意度联系起来的新证据。我们利用大规模的全国性调查数据，研究了韩国人（17357 人）感知到的六个方面的不平等、生活满意度和普遍信任之间的关系。探索性结构方程模型确定了感知不平等的双因素结构：机会不平等（教育和就业方面的不平等）和权力不平等（收入和财富、执法、权力和性别方面的不平等）。中介分析的结果表明，这两方面的不平等会通过降低普遍信任度对生活满意度产生负面影响。无论家庭收入如何，这些过程都是一致的。这项研究强调了公众对各种机会和权力方面（不）平等的看法对幸福感和信任度的重要影响，并强调了政府和政策行动解决韩国社会日益严重的不平等问题的紧迫性。研究结果强调，面临类似挑战的国家迫切需要解决差距问题，促进社会和谐与福祉。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Asian Journal of Social Psychology PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL-

CiteScore

4.60

自引率

4.20%

发文量

期刊介绍： Asian Journal of Social Psychology publishes empirical papers and major reviews on any topic in social psychology and personality, and on topics in other areas of basic and applied psychology that highlight the role of social psychological concepts and theories. The journal coverage also includes all aspects of social processes such as development, cognition, emotions, personality, health and well-being, in the sociocultural context of organisations, schools, communities, social networks, and virtual groups. The journal encourages interdisciplinary integration with social sciences, life sciences, engineering sciences, and the humanities. The journal positively encourages submissions with Asian content and/or Asian authors but welcomes high-quality submissions from any part of the world.