Latent Class Analysis of Discrimination and Social Capital in Korean Public Rental Housing Communities

This study explored typologies among residents of South Korean public rental housing, focusing on their experiences of discrimination and social capital. Latent class analysis (LCA) was applied to data from 4683 individuals in the 2021 Seoul Public Rental Housing Panel Survey. Four distinct groups were identified: ‘Group Seeking Friendly Neighbor Relationships’, ‘Group Accepting Losses’, ‘Group with High Social Capital’, and ‘Group Indifferent to Neighbors’. The findings revealed that while discrimination was widespread, certain groups exhibited strong social capital. Notably, the ‘Group Accepting Losses’ showed the highest willingness to help neighbors despite facing significant discrimination, while the ‘Group with High Social Capital’ displayed high levels of neighbor trust and mutual support. These results challenge traditional views by showing that social capital can thrive even in the presence of discrimination. This study suggests that policies aimed at addressing discrimination in public rental housing should focus not only on physical integration but also on fostering social connections to enhance community cohesion and reduce mental health issues among residents.

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