A Study on Assessment of Social Cohesion Status with Policy Implications(Ⅸ) : Policy Direction for Enhancing Social Integration in the Post-COVID-19 era

Abstract

This report analyzes the perception of social integration after COVID-19, economic shock, inequality in physical and mental health, and changes in social support caused by COVID-19, and measures the relationship between awareness of social integration and policy acceptance. This has implications for establishing policies for future stability and integration. To this end, this study conducted a social survey on the impact of COVID-19 and social integration. The analysis results are as follows. First, compared to 2020, when Corona 19 was in full swing, subjective happiness and life satisfaction increased, and depression generally decreased. However, it appears that the psychological state of being able to live a stable and safe life as a member of society, such as social integration, trust, support, and fairness, has deteriorated. In addition, when comparing the situation before and after the COVID-19 outbreak and when daily life was completely restored, the 60s/70s, the unemployed, and the low-income group still expect negative changes, unlike the overall trend in 2022, regarding changes in the household economic situation.In trust change, only the unemployed expected a negative change. Second, it was found that the economic shock of COVID-19 was quite large, and the economic shock was relatively large for temporary workers, daily workers, special employment workers, employers/self-employed people, and low-income workers. In the case of this group, the probability of applying for those who have experienced a decrease in earned income due to government support related to COVID-19 is relatively high, so it is judged that government support related to COVID-19 has achieved half success. In addition, the perception of social integration among the groups that suffered economic damage from COVID-19 was relatively low, suggesting that the economic shock of COVID-19 may have weakened social integration. Third, compared to before the outbreak of COVID-19, the proportion of those who responded that their health had deteriorated was high in the vulnerable group, and this group also showed a high proportion of respondents who said their feelings of depression increased after COVID-19. In addition, the response that smoking has increased, the response that drinking has increased, and the response that sleep time has decreased were all more common in the vulnerable group. The response that they have not yet recovered to the pre-COVID-19 level also showed a higher percentage of the vulnerable group, implying that more time and detailed support from the government are needed to recover daily life. Finally, 41.6% of respondents answered that they spent more time alone in relation to interpersonal relationships after COVID-19.On the other hand, 67.5% and 61.7% of respondents said that their interaction with close friends or people and their interaction with family and relatives had decreased. In addition, necessary support services related to welfare, life-related counseling and support services(48.7%) and cultural welfare services for daily sports, leisure life, and hobby support(46.1%) were found.In addition, social support was commonly identified as an influencing factor on social integration and perception of social conflict. The results of this study are expected to serve as basic data for mass production of the vulnerable due to the pandemic and for seeking policy responses to it.In the future, it is necessary to present a pan-society policy direction that can rebuild a relationship of trust, and the role and responsibility of the state for support for the socially underprivileged and publicity must be emphasized. The strengthening of the policy direction and response to COVID-19 should serve as an opportunity to lead to the development of the welfare state, and it is necessary to actively introduce the concept of equity into social policies for recovery from COVID-19.