World health & population
Volume 9, Issue 4, 2007, Pages 29-43

Stigmatization experienced by rural-to-urban migrant workers in China: findings from a qualitative study. (Article)

Li X.* , Zhang L. , Fang X. , Xiong Q. , Chen X. , Lin D. , Mathur A. , Stanton B.
  • a Prevention Research Center, Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201-2196, United States
  • b Prevention Research Center, Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201-2196, United States
  • c Prevention Research Center, Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201-2196, United States
  • d Prevention Research Center, Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201-2196, United States
  • e Prevention Research Center, Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201-2196, United States
  • f Prevention Research Center, Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201-2196, United States
  • g Prevention Research Center, Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201-2196, United States
  • h Prevention Research Center, Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201-2196, United States

Abstract

Global literature has suggested a potential negative impact of social stigma on both physical and mental health among those who are being stigmatized. However, limited data are available regarding the form of stigma and stigmatization against rural-to-urban migrant workers in developing countries, including China. This study, employing qualitative data collected from focus group discussions and in-depth individual interviews with rural-to-urban migrants in Beijing, China, was designed to understand the forms and context of stigmatization against rural migrant workers. The data in the current study show that rural-to-urban migrant workers in China had experienced various forms of stigmatization including labelling, stereotyping, separation, status loss and discrimination. Stigmatization occurred through different contexts of migrant workers' lives in urban destinations, including employment seeking, workplace benefits, and access to health and other public services. The current study is a necessary first step to assess the potential impact of stigmatization on both the physical and psychological well-being of rural-to-urban migrant workers.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

information processing male residential mobility rural population urban population female China social psychology Humans Transients and Migrants Focus Groups psychological aspect Article Stereotyping human adult Social Environment migration
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-48049122863&partnerID=40&md5=161f7f7de3174b254b695e3b3a611846
ISSN: 17183340
Cited by: 40
Original Language: English