@article{ART003316996},
author={Kim Mi Kyung},
title={Healing Social Inferiority: A Transition from Self-Compassion(Skill) to the Living Human Web(Ontology)},
journal={Journal of Counseling and Gospel },
issn={1739-0745},
year={2026},
volume={34},
number={1},
pages={5-33},
doi={10.17841/jocag.2026.34.1.5}
TY - JOUR
AU - Kim Mi Kyung
TI - Healing Social Inferiority: A Transition from Self-Compassion(Skill) to the Living Human Web(Ontology)
JO - Journal of Counseling and Gospel
PY - 2026
VL - 34
IS - 1
PB - Korean Evangelical Counseling Society
SP - 5
EP - 33
SN - 1739-0745
AB - The purpose of this study is to conduct an in-depth analysis of the nature of social inferiority, which is intensifying within the competitive structures of modern society, and to propose Christian counseling responses. To this end, this paper first analyzes anxiety and narcissism as the primary psychological mechanisms that induce and sustain social inferiority. In modern individuals, anxiety combines with excessive narcissistic desires to meet external standards and social expectations, thereby fixating feelings of inferiority. Furthermore, social inferiority possesses a dynamic quality, being constantly reconstructed throughout an individual's life cycle and within their social networks. As a psychological alternative to social inferiority, this study focuses on the perspective of self-compassion, which involves ceasing harsh self-criticism and embracing oneself with warmth. While self-compassion serves as an effective tool for alleviating psychological distress, it has limitations in fully addressing fundamental ontological alienation and relational deficiencies. Consequently, this study introduces McLemore’s "Living Human Web" perspective to reinterpret social inferiority beyond a simple personal psychological issue, placing it within the organic network of relationships with the community and God. Through the narratives of Joseph and Jephthah, the study demonstrates that the dynamics of inferiority can be overcome only when broken relationships are restored within the Gospel and when one discovers their absolute value in God. In conclusion, Christian counseling should assist clients in establishing a new identity within the relational web of the Creator.
KW - social inferiority;narcissism;self-compassion; the living human web;narratives of Joseph and Jephthah
DO - 10.17841/jocag.2026.34.1.5
ER -
Kim Mi Kyung. (2026). Healing Social Inferiority: A Transition from Self-Compassion(Skill) to the Living Human Web(Ontology). Journal of Counseling and Gospel , 34(1), 5-33.
Kim Mi Kyung. 2026, "Healing Social Inferiority: A Transition from Self-Compassion(Skill) to the Living Human Web(Ontology)", Journal of Counseling and Gospel , vol.34, no.1 pp.5-33. Available from: doi:10.17841/jocag.2026.34.1.5
Kim Mi Kyung "Healing Social Inferiority: A Transition from Self-Compassion(Skill) to the Living Human Web(Ontology)" Journal of Counseling and Gospel 34.1 pp.5-33 (2026) : 5.
Kim Mi Kyung. Healing Social Inferiority: A Transition from Self-Compassion(Skill) to the Living Human Web(Ontology). 2026; 34(1), 5-33. Available from: doi:10.17841/jocag.2026.34.1.5
Kim Mi Kyung. "Healing Social Inferiority: A Transition from Self-Compassion(Skill) to the Living Human Web(Ontology)" Journal of Counseling and Gospel 34, no.1 (2026) : 5-33.doi: 10.17841/jocag.2026.34.1.5
Kim Mi Kyung. Healing Social Inferiority: A Transition from Self-Compassion(Skill) to the Living Human Web(Ontology). Journal of Counseling and Gospel , 34(1), 5-33. doi: 10.17841/jocag.2026.34.1.5
Kim Mi Kyung. Healing Social Inferiority: A Transition from Self-Compassion(Skill) to the Living Human Web(Ontology). Journal of Counseling and Gospel . 2026; 34(1) 5-33. doi: 10.17841/jocag.2026.34.1.5
Kim Mi Kyung. Healing Social Inferiority: A Transition from Self-Compassion(Skill) to the Living Human Web(Ontology). 2026; 34(1), 5-33. Available from: doi:10.17841/jocag.2026.34.1.5
Kim Mi Kyung. "Healing Social Inferiority: A Transition from Self-Compassion(Skill) to the Living Human Web(Ontology)" Journal of Counseling and Gospel 34, no.1 (2026) : 5-33.doi: 10.17841/jocag.2026.34.1.5
