Longitudinal perspective of the stigmatization of secondary school dropouts

Abstract

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.