Abstract

This study analyzed the influence of Cheong and Weness on coping style, stress, and life satisfaction in Korean culture. A total of 444 students (230 high school students, 214 undergraduate students) participated. Exploratory factor analysis of scales revealed that Cheong was composed of three factors (Humane tenderness, Caring others, Having much cheong), Weness, of two factors (Instrumental Weness, Emotional Weness). Coping strategies was consisted of three factors (active problem solving, seek help from others, avoidance). The relationship among these variables indicated that Caring others, Instrumental Weness and life-satisfaction were correlated positively with both active problem solving, and seek help from others. On the other hand, Humane tenderness were positively correlated with the avoidance coping instead of active problem solving. Moreover, those variables showed strong positive correlation with stress but negative correlation with life satisfaction. The conclusions drawn from these results are that Cheong and Weness which exert both positive and negative influence on stress and life satisfaction of Koreans and important concept for the understanding of Korean interpersonal relationship style. The implication of this study is that it may be necessary to develop models for the training of Korean interpersonal relationship style and communication skills through which positive influence of Cheong and Weness can be maximized.