중년층의 사회적 고립 양상과 음주의 관계에 관한 연구

초록

This study examined multidimensional patterns of social isolation among middle-aged adults by integrating loneliness, lack of support networks, interpersonal relationship satisfaction, and sense of community belonging, and investigated the associations between these patterns and alcohol use. Data were drawn from the 2023 Korean Happiness Survey, and 6,014 adults aged 40 to 59 years were included in the analysis. K-means cluster analysis, multiple regression analysis, and logistic regression analysis were conducted. The findings were as follows. First, three distinct patterns of social isolation were identified: the stable connection group (50.4%), the emotional-relational isolation group (41.4%), and the support network deficiency group (8.2%). Second, individuals in the emotional-relational isolation group had a higher drinking frequency and were more likely to be classified as high-risk drinkers than those in the stable connection group. In contrast, the support network deficiency group was not significantly associated with drinking status, drinking frequency, or high-risk drinking. This study demonstrates that social isolation among middle-aged adults is a heterogeneous construct and that the emotional-relational isolation group, characterized by high levels of loneliness and low levels of relationship satisfaction and sense of community belonging, is associated with higher drinking frequency and an increased likelihood of high-risk drinking. Based on these findings, implications for tailored alcohol prevention strategies and psychosocial interventions according to different patterns of social isolation are discussed.

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