%0 Journal Article
%T A Qualitative Study of Korean Men Experiencing Stress Due to Nonprestigious Hakbeol
%A Ji Youn Cindy Kim
%A William Ming Liu
%A Yunkyoung Loh Garrison
%J The Counseling Psychologist
%@ 1552-3861
%D 2018
%R 10.1177/0011000018798042
%X Hakbeol refers to one¡¯s place in a hierarchical undergraduate pedigree system in South Korea. This qualitative study explored 12 Korean men¡¯s experiences with societal prejudices associated with nonprestigious hakbeol status (e.g., attending ¡°lesser-known¡± universities). Considering the gender role strain paradigm and the Confucian historical context in Korea, this study attempted to illuminate psychological issues stemming from Korean men¡¯s emphasis on the value of a prestigious hakbeol status. Participants reported (a) holding both supportive and critical views about the hakbeol system; (b) perceiving an influence of their hakbeol status on fulfilling their filial piety; (c) experiencing unwanted everyday experiences in relation to others, careers, and self-image; and (d) making efforts to cope with barriers related to their hakbeol status. These findings provide psychologists with the language and evidence to address mental health concerns caused by hakbeol-based discrimination and systemic injustice issues. Implications for counseling, training, advocacy, and research are discussed
%K Korean
%K college students
%K hakbeol
%K discrimination
%K multicultural
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0011000018798042