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pISSN : 2093-2707 / eISSN : 2671-5856
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A Pathway of Mental Health Disparity: Examining the Mediating Role of Social Isolation in the Relationship between Social Class and Mental Health
- Health Communication Research
- 2023, 22(1), pp.1~42
- DOI : 10.24172/hcr.2023.22.1.1
- Publisher : Korea Health Communication Association
- Research Area : Social Science > Journalism and Broadcasting > Communication
- Received : February 4, 2023
- Accepted : April 27, 2023
- Published : April 30, 2023
Bye, Paul 1, Ahn, Dohyun 1
1제주대학교
Accredited
ABSTRACT
This study examined the role of social isolation as a mediator of the relationship between subjective social status (SSS) and ill-being, the negative aspect of mental health. Previous research suggests that low social class, both objective and subjective, has been associated not only with decreased well-being but also with increased ill-being. Rates of social isolation appear higher among the low social class, too. We hypothesized that social isolation would act as a mechanism that accounts for the higher levels of mental health problems among low-SSS individuals. We conducted a survey with 263 participants and measured their SSS, social isolation, and ill-being using validated scales. The mediation analysis results showed that social isolation accounted for 44% of the relationship between SSS and ill-being. This study suggests that providing not only material but also social resources to low-SSS individuals may improve their mental health. We also discussed the implications of our findings for alienation theory and the literature on social class and mental health.
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This paper was written with support from the National Research Foundation of Korea.