This longitudinal study retrospectively explored the stigmatization experienced by 47 young adults in South Korea in early mid-20s who dropped out of middle or high school. Data were collected at two time points. Using thematic analysis, we categorized their experience of stigma into public and self-stigma, based on Corrigan and Kosyluk's (2014) social cognitive model of stigma. Each form of stigma is further subdivided into stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination. We identified additional factors related to coping with the stigma. Based on the findings, the potential implications of characterizing the stigma experienced by middle and high school dropouts are discussed from a longitudinal perspective.

This study identifies the stigma experienced by 12 bereaved parents 2 and 5 years after losing a child in the Sewol ferry disaster in South Korea. Using thematic analysis, we categorized the experience of stigma into two components based on Corrigan and Kosyluk’s social cognitive model of stigma: public stigma and self-stigma, and each was analyzed into three types of stigma: stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination. We identified four additional factors related to stigma mitigation. The potential implications for characterizing the experiences of bereaved parents, particularly those facing stigma, are discussed in light of these findings in the longitudinal perspective.