1. Research Objective and Method

❚ Research Background and Objective

￮ The objective of this research is to understand as a social disease, the loneliness resulting from the risks of modern society while mapping out and suggesting the direction and tasks of the cultural therapy policy of Jeonbuk State as a plan for resolving the issue.

❚  Research Scope and Method

￮ An online survey was conducted to investigate the state of loneliness among adult female and male respondents aged 19 or older in Jeonbuk State. The contents of the survey were constructed based on the “social connection criteria” measurement index of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. The responses of the 417 respondents were weighted according to the national demographics by region, gender, and age (Oct.2024)

2. Conclusion and Policy Suggestions

❚ Results of the Social Connection Criteria Analysis

￮ The social connection index of Jeonbuk State residents according to the social connection criteria categories developed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism came in at 39.6 points, higher than the national average of 31.0 points according to the Regional Culture & Development Agency Survey (2024), demonstrating a weak social connection among the  residents of Jeonbuk State and suggesting that they feel lonelier than the average citizen.

￮ The response rates according to the five groups of Jeonbuk State residents are as follows: Group 1 (severe group) 17.3%, Group 2 (borderline group) 18.5%, Group 3 (caution group) 26.1%, Group 4 (attention group) 29.2%, Group 5 (self-reliant group) 8.9%

￮ A comparison with the values of the national average shows that the residents of Jeonbuk State are relatively lacking in social relationships (especially social resources that can help to resolve difficulties), leading to a deterioration in their sense of self-worth, which is derived from social activities that provide meaning in life, and, consequently, a higher loneliness index.

❚  Direction and Tasks of the Cultural Therapy of Loneliness 

￮ The vision of the policy was established as, “Connecting through culture, Jeonbuk that is not lonely.” The objective was set as an improvement in Jeonbuk’s social connection index, with a specific goal of 30 points or lower, the national average, presented.

￮ The policy of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism excludes therapy, focusing only on cultural connection. In contrast, the policy direction of Jeonbuk State emphasizes connection through health policies based on therapy.

￮ To break it down, the first strategy is establishing a policy foothold while the second is prevention and therapy. The project takes preventive measures against psychological and physical problems due to loneliness but also supports the discovery and treatment of those who are already lonely. The third strategy is strengthening networks: Collaborating with professionals in diverse fields, the goal is to improve and spread social awareness and activities by promoting the idea that enhancing social connections and relationships represents the optimal way to resolve loneliness. 

￮ Among the discovered policy tasks, the “Stability Through a Culture Center (tentative name)”, a wide-area loneliness therapy platform, the “Loneliness Therapy Health Pilot” project, which integrates the mental health system of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the “Social Connection Through Culture” project system of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, are proposed. 

￮ Although therapy policies are being carried out in various fields, such as farming, forest, and marine therapy, according to the law, in the field of culture, therapy programs are currently being run as general cultural activities without legal grounds. Therefore, legislation on cultural therapy, especially related to loneliness, is required

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