Group Membership as a Double-Edged Sword?: Affiliation Networks, Residential Areas, and Mental Health in South Korea

• In Event: 40269 - Social Ties, Social Networks, and Social Capital: Origins and Consequences

Abstract

Past literature on mental health has extensively discussed the effect of interpersonal relationships on mental health, but studies have yet to systematically investigate the meaning and influence of group membership. This study thereby focuses on the effect of affiliation networks that individuals form through private groups on mental health. We particularly explore the possibility that the negative influence of affiliation networks on mental distress turns positive when individuals suffer from excessive obligation and requirement from the groups they engage. Using data from the 2023 Korea Social Integration Survey, results from ordered logistic regression analyses suggest that the effect of affiliation networks is a u-shape. While one’s membership in private groups is negatively associated with anxiety, depressive symptoms, and suicidal thoughts even after controlling interpersonal contact network as well as other socio-demographic characteristics, the association becomes positive when one engages in excessive number of groups. Furthermore, we find this u-shape relationship to be significant only in big cities, not in small cities, towns, or villages. Our study provides implications to understand how and under which social condition affiliation networks shape one’s mental health.

Authors

• Sunmin Hong, Chung-Ang University

• Chan S. Suh, Chung-Ang University