The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a profoundly negative impact on both health and the economy. It had a significant impact on individuals worldwide, including their mental health, behavioral changes, and work perception. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on behavioral changes, mental health, and work perception among individuals from different socioeconomic backgrounds in South Korea. A quantitative research approach was used, and data was collected through a Likert scale survey from a sample of 440 participants. The collected data was analyzed using Smart PLS and SPSS, and three regression models were used to test the hypotheses. The findings revealed a significant impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on mental health, behavioral changes, and perception of work among individuals from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
The study concludes that the COVID-19 outbreak has had a significant impact on the mental health (p<0.001), behavioral changes (p<0.001), and work perception (p<0.001) among individuals from different socioeconomic backgrounds in South Korea. It recommends that policymakers should prioritize mental health support and effective communication during such pandemics. Additionally, it is suggested that employers should take steps to ensure a healthy work environment, flexible work arrangements, and employee support programs. Limitations of the study include the use of self-reported data, potential sampling biases, and the limited geographical scope of the study.