Mental Health
Network Analysis of Korean Happiness: A Comparative Study by Generation, Gender, and Income Level Doo Woong Lee* Doo Woong Lee Alexander C. Tsai Soyeon Sarah Oh
Background: South Korea faces significant mental health challenges, with one of the highest suicide rates among OECD countries. Various socio-cultural, economic, and political factors, including generational conflict, gender inequality, and socio-economic disparities, contribute to the mental well-being of the population. Understanding how these factors interconnect to influence happiness across different demographic groups is critical to designing effective interventions for improving well-being.
Objective: This study aims to analyze the determinants of happiness in South Korea using a network analysis approach, focusing on the interrelationships between psychosocial and personality factors. It seeks to uncover how happiness is structured across different demographic segments, including gender, income, and generation, to provide insights that can inform social, and policy interventions aimed at enhancing well-being.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 2020-2023 Koreans’ Happiness Survey (KHS), which includes a nationally representative sample of 64,531 individuals. Network analysis using the graphical Gaussian model (GGM) and the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) method was applied to explore the relationships between happiness, emotional states, personality traits, and socio-economic factors. Subgroup analyses were performed to compare network structures by gender, income, and generation groups.
Results: The network analysis revealed significant connections among variables related to emotional well-being, satisfaction, and personality traits. Strong relationships were identified, such as between stress and tiredness, happiness and enjoyment, and depression and anger. Gender differences were observed, with males exhibiting a more diversified network structure, connecting happiness to socio-economic factors such as standard of living and future security, while females’ happiness was more closely tied to emotional factors like depression and loneliness. Income disparities also influenced network structures, with lower-income groups showing a stronger link between happiness and standard of living, while higher-income groups exhibited more complex connections. Generational analysis showed that the “MZ generation” (Millennials and Generation Z) prioritized both affective experiences and economic conditions in their happiness assessment, with strong connections between enjoyment and standard of living.
Conclusion: This study provides a multidimensional analysis of happiness in South Korea, highlighting the complex interplay of emotional, economic, and personality factors across different demographic groups. The findings underscore the importance of tailored policy interventions that address both emotional well-being and socio-economic stability, with specific approaches for men, women, income groups, and younger generations. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the determinants of happiness in South Korea’s socio-cultural context and inform efforts to promote well-being across diverse population segments.
Keywords: Happiness; Mental health; Network analysis; South Korea; Gender differences; Generational differences; Income inequality
