Chinese International Students’ Experiences of Social Stigma during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea
Title
Chinese International Students’ Experiences of Social Stigma during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea
Alternative Author(s)
Zhang, Yichi
; Kim, Min Ah
Keyword
코로나바이러스감염증-19
; 중국인 유학생
; 사회적 낙인
; 낙인 대처 2019
; Coronavirus Disease
; Chinese International Students
; Social Stigma
; Coping with Stigma
Publication Year
2021-03-31
Publisher
Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs
Citation
Health and Social Welfare Review Vol.41 No.1, pp.22-41
Abstract
Social stigma toward Chinese people has emerged as a serious social problem due to the increasing fear of infection and overwhelmingly biased information during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted in-depth interviews with 20 Chinese international students living in Korea to understand their social stigma experiences due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The result of thematic analysis yielded 12 subthemes on social stigma experiences within overarching themes related to “indiscriminate blaming of China and Chinese people”, “vigilance and discrimination against Chinese people in the community,” and “coping with social stigma due to COVID-19.” Participants experienced various forms of social stigma both online and in the community, including blame, vigilance, rejection, and alienation and practiced coping behaviors to avoid or change social stigma. This study suggests the need to provide education targeted toward Korean students to ensure balanced opinions on Chinese students in connection with COVID-19 and reduce social stigma, enhance resources for emotional support, and provide psychological counseling and training in adaptive coping strategies for Chinese international students who experience social stigma.