Stigmatization experienced by rural-to-urban migrant workers in China: findings from a qualitative study.
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.
Prevention Research Center, Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201-2196, USA. xiaoming_li@wayne.edu
Xiaoming
X
Li
Liying
L
Zhang
Xiaoyi
X
Fang
Qing
Q
Xiong
Xinguang
X
Chen
Danhua
D
Lin
Ambika
A
Mathur
Bonita
B
Stanton
D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012424:Rural Population; D012931:Social Environment; D013240:Stereotyping; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000523:psychology*; D014505:Urban Population