East Asian Cultural Values and Life Satisfaction Among Korean College Students: The Moderating Effects of Gender

This study explored the relationships between adherence to East Asian cultural values and life satisfaction as well as the moderating effects of gender on these relationships among South Korean college students. Among East Asian cultural values, we focused on emotional self-control (ESC), humility, and family recognition through achievement (FRTA). A total of 421 participants completed an online survey measuring the study variables. The results of our multiple regression analyses revealed the moderating effects of gender on the relationships among ESC, FRTA, and life satisfaction. The results showed a negative association between adherence to ESC and life satisfaction only among female students, and they showed a negative association between adherence to FRTA and life satisfaction only among male students. We conclude by discussing the implications of these findings for research and practice and outlining the limitations of this study. What is the public significance of this article? This study found that espousing certain East Asian cultural values (i.e., emphasis on emotional restraint, bringing honor to the family through academic and vocational success) is associated with life satisfaction among Korean college students, and that the associations differ by gender. Thus, when psychologists help Asian college students under the context of cultural shifts, they should keep in mind how cultural values and gender can interact to influence life satisfaction.