Abstract

This survey was designed to identify the illness representation shared by the middle class of Koreans. In order to understand social representation of physical illness about illness and/or health adapted by the middle class, a survey was conducted using 710 college students located at six universities across the nation and 631 of their parents. The present study revealed that Koreans predominantly adapted a psychosocial model developed recently as well as traditional medicine model (e.g. ki) as a useful explanation for health and/or treatment. The majority of people also endorsed oriental medicine and folk medicine, suggesting the need for alternative medicine as a viable approach even in health psychology. The present study reported the general pattern of illness representation shared by the middle class of Koreans. It also reported the similarities and differences by age (young adult vs. middle age) and by health status (health vs. unhealthy). Major findings were discussed with previous studies and some implications for future studies are suggested.