Abstract

This study examined the basic features of Koreans' group activities by conducting a nationwide survey. More specifically, it examined the number of groups in which people participate, the participation frequency, satisfaction with the groups and the intimacy among group members that people perceive regarding the social gatherings, groups for cultivating hubbies, social service groups and religious groups. Another purpose of the present survey was to examine the relationship between the quantity and the quality of group activities of people and the subjective well-being. 1,000 people of both sex were sampled and responded to the interviewer. The results showed that 82.8% of the respondents participated in more that one group. The groups in which Koreans participate the most were the social gatherings or the friendly societies, of which 75.6% of the respondents reported that they were the members. Among these social gatherings or friendly societies, the most common was the alumni association. The second most common social groups in which people participate were the religious group, the next were the groups for hubbies and the least popular one was the social sevice group. Only 6.7% of the respondents were the members of the social service groups. In general, people were satisfied with their group and reported that members of their groups were intimate. However, the participation rate, satisfaction with groups and the intimacy among group members in the social service groups were reported as the lowest. These group activities were affected by gender, age, education and the income level. It was also found that as people were more satisfied with their family and relatives, they not only participated in more groups but they also felt greater satisfaction with their groups and group activities. Finally and as expected, in general there was a positive relationship between the number of the groups in which people participated and the subjective well-being. Moreover, the satisfactory groups activities and the intimacy among group members in social gatherings and the religious groups were positively correlated with the subjective well-being. The theoretical and the practical implications of these findings were discussed.