Determinants of Corona Blue among Residents of Sejong City

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only posed a public health crisis butalso triggered widespread emotional and psychological distress. Among the variouspsychosocial responses, “Corona Blue” has emerged as a significant phenomenonin South Korea, referring to a collective sense of depression, anxiety, and isolationinduced by prolonged social distancing, uncertainty, and economic instability. Thisstudy aims to examine the prevalence and determinants of Corona Blue amongadult residents of Sejong Special Self-Governing City, a region characterized by itsrelatively young, highly educated, and public sector-oriented population. Drawing ontheoretical frameworks including the stress and coping theory, perceived collectivethreat theory, and trauma-informed approaches such as Acceptance andCommitment Therapy (ACT), this study explores how factors such as perceivedinfection threat, pandemic-related stress, prior trauma experience (PTSD), trust ingovernment responses, and welfare service needs contribute to emotional distress. Data were derived from a face-to-face survey of 783 adults conducted in October-November 2021. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that pandemic-relatedstress was the most significant predictor of Corona Blue. Trust in governmentresponses served as a protective factor, while higher welfare service needs wereassociated with greater emotional distress. Gender, employment status, and pasttraumatic events also showed differential impacts. The findings suggest the needfor regionally tailored mental health policies and integrated welfare interventions toaddress accumulated emotional burdens in the post-pandemic era. This studycontributes to a deeper understanding of the structural and psychologicaldimensions of pandemic-related depression in local communities