The Sense of Control, Perceived Economic Inequality, and Socioeconomic Status: The Case of South Korea

Abstract

Previous studies have extensively explored the effects of objective socioeconomic factors such as income on the sense of control, assuming that individuals have control over their lives and can obtain desired goals. However, little attention has been paid to the effect of unequal distribution of economic resources on the sense of control. Using data from the Korea Academic Multimode Open Survey for Social Sciences, this study examines the impact of perceived economic inequality on the sense of control at the individual level and whether socioeconomic status moderates the impact. Results indicate that perceived economic inequality positively affects the sense of control. Furthermore, the relationship between perceived economic inequality and the sense of control depends on socioeconomic status and is more positive in people with higher levels of socioeconomic status.