Research & Publications

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Background/Objectives: This study explores the subjective perceptions of stakeholders in South Korea’s nature-based healing industry and employs Q methodology to classify their viewpoints. As the healing industry continues to evolve across sectors such as forest therapy, marine healing, and healing agriculture, understanding diverse stakeholder perspectives is essential for informing coherent and inclusive policy development. Methods: A total of 25 participants—including policymakers, practitioners, and service users—sorted 39 statements derived from academic and media sources. This study analysed the data using Ken-Q software, applying principal component analysis with Varimax rotation. Results: The results revealed four distinct perception types: (1) a comprehensive and service-oriented type emphasising universal access and public benefit, (2) a professionalismoriented type advocating for systematic administration and regional development, (3) a differentiation-oriented type concerned with conceptual clarity and distinctiveness, and (4) a sustainability-oriented type emphasising long-term impacts and collaborative structures. Conclusions: These findings highlight the multi-dimensional nature of stakeholder perceptions and suggest the need for differentiated governance strategies. By incorporating public choice theory and complementary insights from health economics, this study provides an empirical foundation for understanding stakeholder-driven policy considerations in developing nature-based healing services. Keywords: healing industry; Q methodology; public choice theory; subjective perception; nature-based therapy; policy design; Republic of Korea

Background/Objectives: This study examines the subjective perceptions of older adults with mild chronic conditions regarding an artificial intelligence (AI)-based caregiving device, referred to as an “AI Human”, by identifying and categorising their viewpoints through Q methodology. Methods: We conducted the study in February 2025 at two adult welfare centres in Buyeo, South Korea. Thirteen older adults used the AI Human device with support for at least 15 days. We initially generated 152 opinion statements through a literature review, focus group interviews, and AI-assisted methods and refined them to a Q sample of 34 statements. Participants completed Q sorts, and we used Ken-Q Analysis software (version 2.0.1) to analyse the data, applying principal component analysis and Varimax rotation. Results: Four distinct perception types emerged: (1) emotionally engaged users prioritise reminiscence and emotional interaction; (2) present-oriented conversationalists prefer real-time, everyday dialogue; (3) usage-burdened users are interested in the device but experience usage difficulty; and (4) function-oriented users value health and caregiving functions. Conclusions: The acceptance of AI caregiving devices among older adults varies based on their emotional needs, conversation preferences, technical accessibility, and perceived usefulness. This study provides theoretical and practical insights for developing personalised, elder-friendly AI systems that support ageing and promote emotional well-being. Keywords: older adults; artificial intelligence; virtual human; caregiving technology; Q methodology; technology acceptance; continuity theory

Abstract: This study examines and categorises subjective perceptions of love among individuals in their twenties and thirties, offering insights into their viewpoints during early adulthood. The study employed the Q methodology, suitable for analysing subjective perceptions such as perspectives, thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes. It included 23 participants selected through purposive sampling from the 2030 generation residing in South Korea, with 40 statements constructed for the research. The findings revealed four types. Type 1, ‘Love Healing’, experiences psychological well‑being through love. Type 2, ‘Love Anxious’, longs for true love but is anxious. Type 3, ‘Love My‑self’, expresses hope for healthy love through self‑awareness. Type 4, ‘Love Mate’, seeks to maintain psychological love while pursuing independence. This research also explores similarities and differences between existing adult attachment and love types, highlighting the need for practical supporttailored to each type. These insights may serve as a foundation for developing coaching and counselling services that help individuals in their twenties and thirties cultivate healthy love and mature into their authentic selves. Keywords: early adulthood; romantic love; types of love; attachment; adults’ attachment; Q methodology