From connection to stigmatization: The influence of storytelling networks on perceived stigma and quality of life among migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong

Migrant domestic workers (MDWs) play a vital role in supporting global care economies, yet stigma against this community remains pervasive, often undermining their well-being. Guided by communication infrastructure theory (CIT) and stigma theory, this study investigates how storytelling networks, comprising interpersonal relationships, community organizations, and media, shape perceived stigma and quality of life among Indonesian MDWs in Hong Kong. Using data from a cross-sectional survey of 419 workers, the analysis reveals that stronger connectedness to integrated storytelling networks increases exposure to negative narratives and perceived discrimination, both of which lead to perceived stigma. In turn, perceived stigma is negatively associated with quality of life. However, it is also noteworthy that different storytelling agents play distinct roles, suggesting that connectedness is not inherently harmful but depends on the narratives circulating through the network. The findings extend CIT literature by demonstrating that storytelling networks are not uniformly protective and that stigma is shaped through a communication ecology in which network integration, agent-specific roles, and narrative valence jointly influence well-being.