Middle-aged job seekers wait for interviews at a joint fair in Busan. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 15 (Korea Bizwire) — Middle-aged South Koreans suffer more from anxiety than seniors, a recent study concluded.
Samsung Life Insurance Co. conducted a survey of 1,000 people between the age of 40 and 75, including 800 patients suffering from chronic diseases, which showed that those in their 40s and 50s were exposed to chronic anxiety twice as often as those over the age of 60.
A significant number of respondents in their 40s (21.9 percent) and 50s (19.5 percent) experienced anxiety almost constantly, while only 10.8 percent of respondents over the age of 70 said likewise.
In contrast, only 13.5 percent of those in their 40s said they didn’t experience anxiety. The proportion grew among older respondents, including 50-somethings (17.3 percent) and those in their 60s (28.5 percent).
One fifth of the middle-aged and senior respondents combined said that their source of anxiety stemmed from uncertainty towards the future and fear for life, while 19.2 percent were concerned about the coronavirus.
Respondents in their 40s and 50s were also worried about losing their jobs and being sidelined from work.
Respondents over the age of 60, most of whom have reached retirement, picked socio-economic instability in the country as another source of anxiety.
Overall, the coronavirus seemed to have caused respondents to feel more anxious.
Those suffering from chronic diseases felt anxious slightly more often (18.8 percent) than those who were not (15.5 percent).
Respondents suffering from chronic diseases were divided into two groups based on their perception of life after being diagnosed with the disease.
Those believing that quality of life had worsened after being diagnosed with a chronic disease spent most of their time smoking, drinking, watching television, or playing smartphone games.
Those believing that quality of life had improved following diagnosis spent time meditating, or talking to friends and family members.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
