Korean Psychological Journal of Culture and Social Issues
- P-ISSN1229-0661
- E-ISSN1229-0661
- KCI
Vol.31 No.2
Abstract
This study explores the process and experience of chemsex among six drug users in their 20s and 30s in South Korea, as well as its psychological, physical, and social impacts, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) through in-depth individual interviews. Chemsex refers to the use of specific substances to enhance sexual pleasure. Unlike previous studies that have primarily focused on Men who have sex with men (MSM), this research takes a more inclusive approach by encompassing heterosexual individuals and drug users with diverse sexual orientations in South Korea. Data analysis yielded a total of seven main themes and twenty sub-themes, which are as follows: ‘Low Entry Barriers to Chemsex’, ‘The Dynamics of Chemsex Pleasure’, ‘Chemsex: Intensified Experiences of Extreme Pleasure and Addiction’, ‘Complex Challenges Experienced During Chemsex’, ‘Self-Destructive Consequences of Chemsex’, ‘Safety Mechanisms for Sustaining Pleasure’, ‘The Aftereffects of Intense Pleasure’. This study sheds light on the intricate interactions between drug use and sexual behavior among young drug users in South Korea, emphasizing the ambivalence, isolation, and psychological and physical difficulties within the cycle of addiction. The insights from this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the multifaceted effects of drug use, including chemsex, on individuals. Furthermore, they provide a foundation for researchers and practitioners to explore this topic from a more open and comprehensive perspective.
Abstract
As AI usage is expanding for human convenience, ethical discussions on this issue remain insufficient. This study examined whether AI can bear responsibility and how people perceive it to take responsibility. In specific, by comparing AI service failures to those of humans, we focused on how the perceived responsibility is for each agent (service provider, organization, or user) and tested the moderating role of moral foundations. In Study 1, where a psychological treatment failure scenario was given, results showed that according to the service provider (AI or human) responsibility perceptions of the service provider, organization, and user varied. Fairness and respect for norms moderated the relationship of service provider type and user responsibility perception. In specific, when these values were rated low, users felt less responsible for AI failures than human failures. Study 2, involving a scenario on the government tax failures, found that responsibility was attributed the highest for the government, followed by service providers and users. AI failures led to lower provider responsibility and higher government responsibility. Respect for norms also showed moderationed perceptions, with lower values further reducing the perception of provider responsibility under AI conditions compared to that of human. These findings contribute to the understanding of whether AI can be held morally responsible and how moral judgment differs depending on the nature of the agent. Limitations and implications of the study are also discussed.
Abstract
This study aimed to validate the Korean version of the Attitudes Toward Artificial Intelligence Scale (ATTARI-12), which measures attitudes toward AI across cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions. Although ATTARI-12 was developed to reflect three psychological components, it was originally designed with a unidimensional structure. The scale was translated and administered to 223 Korean adults aged 19 to 69. Exploratory factor analysis showed a two-factor structure separating positively and negatively worded items. To verify this, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted with another independent sample of 223 adults. Competing model analysis was performed, comparing the two-factor model according to the exploratory factor analysis, a bifactor S-1 model reflecting method effects of negative wording, and a modified bifactor S-1 model based on modification indices. The bifactor S-1 model, structurally consistent with the original model, showed the best fit, and the modified version of the bifactor S-1 model was confirmed as the final model. Both convergent and discriminant validity were found to be acceptable. Implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to validate the Attitudes Towards Dating Violence (ATDV) scale for the general adult population in South Korea. Attitudes towards dating violence refer to the level of awareness, acceptance, and justification of violence that may occur in dating relationships. The ATDV scale consists of six subscales, categorized by the type of violence and gender. After collaborating with the original authors in the adaptation process, the survey was conducted with 305 adult males and 304 adult females in South Korea. Rating scale modeling, confirmatory factor analysis, and the convergent validity were used for data analysis. The results showed that first, Rasch analysis confirmed that each subscale met unidimensionality and that a 4-point Likert scale was appropriate for the response categories. Item appropriateness analysis revealed that three items were excluded from the male subscale (out of 39 items) and two items from the female subscale (out of 37 items). Second, confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that all six subscales of the ATDV displayed a unidimensional structure, with all items fitting well within this structure. Finally, convergent validity and correlation analysis with criterion measures demonstrated that the ATDV scale effectively reflects the types of dating violence and gender characteristics. This study contributes to the reliability and validity of a tool for measuring attitudes towards dating violence, providing foundational data for prevention and intervention strategies.
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between cultural homelessness and loneliness among youth returnees, focusing on the sequential mediating roles of reverse culture shock and emotional clarity. A total of 135 youth returnees (Mean age=22.87, SD=3.3, 92 females, 32 from the United States, 32 from Türkiye) participated in an online survey. Data were analyzed using SPSS 29.0, including basic descriptive statistics, frequency analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, independent samples t-tests, and one-way ANOVA. In addition, sequential mediation effects were analyzed using the SPSS PROCESS macro Model 6, and the significance of the indirect effects was verified through the bootstrapping method. The results of this study were as follows. First, individuals who returned to Korea at an older age, who has left Korea at a younger age, or spent longer periods abroad reported higher levels of cultural homelessness. Women or those with longer overseas stays experienced greater levels of reverse culture shock. Second, cultural homelessness, reverse culture shock, and loneliness were positively correlated, while emotional clarity was negatively correlated with these variables. Third, reverse culture shock significantly mediated the relationship between cultural homelessness and loneliness. However, emotional clarity alone did not demonstrate a significant mediating effect. Fourth, the relationship between cultural homelessness and loneliness was fully mediated through the sequential effects of reverse culture shock and emotional clarity. These findings provided insight into the psychological mechanisms linking cultural homelessness and loneliness among youth returnees and offered an opportunity to consider psychological approaches for youth returnees. Limitations and implications for future research were discussed.
Abstract
This study examines the impact of spirituality on resilience and investigates the mediating effects of self-esteem and self-control in the relationship between spirituality and resilience. A self-report survey was conducted using scales measuring spirituality, self-esteem, self-control, and resilience among adults aged 19 and older. Data from 397 respondents were analyzed. The results of this study are summarized as follows: First, correlation analysis among spirituality, self-esteem, self-control, and resilience showed significant positive correlations among all variables. Second, self-esteem and self-control were each found to partially mediate the relationship between spirituality and resilience. Third, self-esteem and self-control sequentially mediated the relationship between spirituality and resilience. These results indicate that spirituality positively influences self-esteem, which in turn enhances self-control, thereby increasing resilience. Finally, implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research are discussed.