Differential Impacts of Urban Risk Perception on Subjective Well-Being during COVID-19: The Mediating Role of Quality of Urban Life among Korean and Foreign Residents in Seoul

초록

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the complex interplay of various urban risks and the critical importance of residents' subjective perceptions of risk for urban recovery and well-being. This study examines the relationship between urban risk perception and subjective well-being (SWB), comparing the experiences of Korean nationals and foreign residents in Seoul, South Korea. Utilizing structural equation modeling with Seoul Survey Data collected from 2020 to 2022, we investigate the mediating role of quality of urban life (QOUL) in the relationship between perceived urban risk and SWB. The findings reveal distinct differences between the two groups: Korean residents exhibit a notable shift from negative to positive associations between urban risk perception and SWB, reflecting improved risk cognition, emotional resilience, and effective social adaptation. In contrast, foreign residents in the 2022 sample present negative associations, influenced by structural vulnerabilities such as shorter residency duration, lower socioeconomic status, and limited social integration. Our results also show that the QOUL is a significant mediating factor, reinforcing the necessity of tailored urban policies to enhance resilience and inclusivity. This study contributes to urban resilience literature by emphasizing psychological and social recovery aspects, highlighting the differential impacts of urban risk perception among diverse populations, and advocating for targeted, inclusive urban governance strategies.

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