The experience of stress before and during the economic crisis in Korea: An indegenous analysis.

초록

By using the indigenous psychologies approach, this study examines the stress experience before and during an economic crisis in Korea (i.e., in which Korea received economic assistance from the International Monetary Fund). This study compares the results of a previous study conducted in 1997 by the present authors before the onset of the economic crisis. In the study conducted in 1998, participants were asked to were asked to write, in an open-ended response format, what they consider to be the most stressful, their cognitive and emotional reactions, from whom they received social support, the type of social support received, the type of coping strategy used, and the effectiveness of their coping strategy. The questionnaire was distributed to a a total of 878 students and adults: high school students (n=202), university students (n=134), housewives (n=273), and salaried employees (n=269). As expected, economic difficulties were listed as the most stressful producing, followed by future uncertainty, job conditions, and family life. In terms of coping strategy, participants were most likely to use the strategy of self-regulation, saving money, active coping strategies, and avoidance. Around half of the participants reported that they did not receive any social support. Within the sample that received social support, they were most likely to receive support from friends, followed by friends, family members, and colleagues. In terms of type of social support, emotional support was most frequently mentioned. The present results, when compared to the 1997 results, indicate that although the nature of the stressful life-events has changed, the coping strategy and the type of social support received have not changed significantly. Although more participants reported using active coping strategies, self-regulation was most frequently reported. In terms the nature of social support, emotional support was most frequently mentioned.