Thesen *

Individual coping with transformation-related uncertainties can be supported socio-politically!

1. Während eines Systemwechsels erleben Individuen zahlreiche Anforderungen (Demands) – z. B. Arbeitslosigkeit, Karrierebrüche, den Zwang zu erneuter beruflicher Qualifizierung oder einen Anstieg der Pluralität von Lebensformen – als gesteigerte Verunsicherung. Es ist besonders schwer, solche Unsicherheiten der Lebenslage zu bewältigen, wenn das sichernde Band generationsübergreifender Erfahrungen abgeschnitten wird, was bei Systemwechseln ebenfalls häufig geschieht.
2. According to the developmental psychology of the Jena Model of Social Change and Human Development, which was developed by the Collaborative Research Center 580, professional and social circumstances that cause uncertainties through an experienced contrast between a stable past (Yesterday) and an unstable present (Today), force people to change their life situation (Coping).
3. Affected people access personal and social resources for the coping process (financial resources human capital, optimism, initiative, etc.). They get supported thereby with developmental assets from their close social environment (“my family supports me…” or “my colleagues motivate me…”) as well as the norms which carry the expectations of related persons. Another factor is the way of life and career that they have already walked (Individual Biographic Trajectories).
4. In the process of transformation we try to reduce uncertainties or make them, at least subjectively, more bearable. Here, environments lined with crises prove themselves to be helpful. It can be proven that the experience of being a part of a collective fate – e.g. living in an environment that is affected by a high unemployment rate – mitigates the decrease of self-esteem.
5. It was also examined under which preconditions the coping adaptation leaves space for civic and political involvement. Factors that benefit this public involvement are social norms as well as self-convictions of efficacy and the thereby communicated influence over the situation– e.g. support from family, friends and others. This marks “points of intervention” which could enable an encouragement of civic involvement in times of critical social change in Korea as well.
6. ) Altogether it has been shown that the Jena Model of Social Change and Human Development is suitable for understanding the effect of a macro-political and – social change on human behavior. Its design allows comparison between German federal states and regions in Germany as well as an international comparison (e.g. in a similar sample in Poland). The statement “one size fits all” is not valid for socio-political activities. A comparison with Poland shows that differences in social security systems influence the strength of statistical effects which were postulated by this model. Based on our results, the following conclusions can be drawn for a desired reunification of Korea.
7. The population of North and South Korea will act completely different. A possible radical system change in North Korea may re-expose nearly forgotten cultural similarities which no one had considered before.
8. Generally, after every transformation the gap between the poor and the rich expands. Social inequality with its psychosocial and health effects can be mitigated. Nevertheless, economic growth cannot prevent social inequality on its own.
9. In the phase of transition the radical social change destroys social capital but spares the self-efficacy gained in the course of life, which mitigates the consequences of current malaises on the future. The more self-efficacy is supported (especially among young people in school or vocational training), the higher the chance of asserting oneself grows (resilience) and the more the societal costs of the transformation decrease. Therefore it is important to consider how young people find out about useful experiences of self-efficacy when planning the reunification. The earlier and the more, the better! China is doing this already.
10. In general, it has to be determined if the Jena Model of Social Change and Human Development is transferable to Korea. Are there personal resources and contextual supports (family, neighborhood, company, etc.) in North Korea that can accompany and benefit the coping process in dealing with the social and economic changes? Are there moreover individual dispositions that can support civic and political involvement in the long term?

Genesis of the results of the Collaborative Research Center 580 *

The theses mentioned above are related to the following research projects of the Collaborative Research Center 580: