Structural Constraints, Psychological Maladjustment, Avoidant Coping Strategies and Social Isolation Faced By Young Workers

Background/Purpose: In South Korea’s dynamic economy, young workers face challenges due to structural constraints within a highly competitive, achievement-oriented job market and working conditions. The society’s emphasis on educational and career success intensifies pressure on them, often resulting in psychological maladjustment and resorting to avoidant coping strategies. This can lead to feelings of isolation within their social circles. Addressing social isolation among young workers is vital for bolstering mental health, physical well-being, and social cohesion. Despite this importance, limited research has examined the mechanisms how structural constraints may influence social isolation among young workers. Therefore, this study aims to explore the interplay between structural constraints and social isolation, focusing on the mediating roles of psychological maladjustment and avoidant coping strategies.

Methods: Data were collected from 426 young adults aged 19-34 in 2022, with a subsample of 267 young workers used for analysis. Structural constraints were measured using four questions gauging the extent to which young workers felt constraints of their circumstances, on a 5-point Likert scale. Loneliness was measured with ten items on a 4-point Likert scale, probing feelings of loneliness even in the presence of friends or family. Psychological maladjustment, the first mediator, was evaluated using 12 items on a 4-point Likert scale, while avoidant strategies, the second mediator were measured using 11 items examining tendencies to avoid reality, rated on a 3-point Likert scale. The analysis employed a dual mediation model (SPSS Macro 4.3 model number 6) with bootstrapping. Covariates included sex, age, educational level, marital status, the number of cohabiting family members, income level, and employment status.

Results: The analysis revealed significant findings regarding the relationship between structural constraints, psychological maladjustment, avoidant coping strategies, and social isolation among young workers. Specifically, there were significant indirect effects of structural constraints on social isolation, mediated through both psychological maladjustment and avoidant coping strategies (95% CI = .015 to .060). Interestingly, while a significant indirect effect was observed between structural constraints, avoidant coping strategies and social isolation (95% CI = .009 to .097), no significant indirect effect was found when psychological maladjustment was considered as the sole mediator. Given the complexity of structural constraints, avoidant coping strategies and social isolation, psychological maladjustment alone may not fully explain the relationship.

Conclusions: Young workers in South Korea face many structural constraints, such as high competition, rigid corporate hierarchies and long working hours, which can result in mental and behavioral problems. The results emphasized the importance of addressing the psychological well-being and coping strategies of young workers facing structural constraints. The significant indirect effect observed between structural constraints and avoidant coping strategies suggests an influence on social isolation levels among young workers. This emphasizes how the avoidant coping strategies exacerbate feelings of social isolation in response to structural constraints. Interestingly, no significant indirect effect was found when psychological maladjustment acted as the sole mediator, suggesting the need to concurrently consider coping mechanisms such as avoidance. Interventions targeting social isolation should take comprehensive approaches, addressing maladaptive coping strategies and providing alternative support mechanisms.