The Impact of Criminal Record Stigma on Quality of Life: A Test of Theoretical Pathways

Abstract

Across multiple stigmatized groups, research suggests that stigma may negatively impact individual wellbeing. This impact often occurs through a sequential pathway that includes perceiving societal stigma, a diminished and stereotyped self‐concept (i.e., internalized stigma), experiences of discrimination and rejection, and attempts to cope with stigma (e.g., secrecy or withdrawal). While prior research supports individual links within this pathway, no study has evaluated a model representing the relationships between all of these factors in relation to criminal record stigma. This study utilized cross‐sectional data from an online survey of 198 adults to test the pathways through which criminal record‐related stigma impacts individual quality of life. The results indicated that perceived stigma was a significant predictor of discrimination and rejection experiences, secrecy coping strategies, and decreased quality of life. There was also a significant indirect association between perceived stigma and quality of life through secrecy coping. Consistent with recent criminal record stigma research, internalized stigma was low among respondents. These findings point to the importance of reducing criminal record stigma and discrimination, so that individuals with criminal records have more opportunities to enhance their quality of life without having to withdraw from society or keep their record a secret.

The stigma of incarceration experience: A systematic review.

“…West et al (2015) found that higher internalized stigma was associated with greater racial self-concept (i.e., more positive attitudes toward one's racial/ethnic group), though results were not stratified by racial/ethnic group. McWilliams and Hunter (2020) found no association between internalized stigma and offense type, participant age, nor time incarcerated, though female participants were found to report significantly lower rates of internalized stigma compared with male participants (b = -.17, p , .05).…”

“…In the present study, the negative effects of incarceration-related stigma on health (Redmond et al, 2020), employment (Moore et al, 2013), and broader indicators of well-being (McWilliams & Hunter, 2020; suggest that there is much work to be done to reduce the collateral consequences that formerly incarcerated persons experience upon reentry. Individuals experiencing overt discrimination and anticipatory distress related to seeking supportive health care services and employment need individual, community, and public policy strategies to reduce the damaging impact of criminal record stigma.…”

“…Avoidance-based strategies (i.e., concealment, withdrawal) for managing stigma have been shown to be associated with greater distress and impaired social functioning in the broader stigma literature (Smart & Wegner, 2000). In McWilliams and Hunter (2020) cross-sectional study of formerly incarcerated individuals, the authors found that the negative relationship between perceived stigma and quality of life (a measure of interpersonal/ social, material, and physical well-being) was mediated by secrecy (though not withdrawal) coping. Such results indicate that an individual's felt pressure to conceal their incarceration experience may be responsible for the negative impact on social functioning.…”

“…Frank et al ( 2014) found a significant positive correlation between incarceration length and enacted stigma, though four studies (LeBel, 2012a;McWilliams & Hunter, 2020;Redmond et al, 2020;Winnick & Bodkin, 2008) found no relationship between time incarcerated and enacted, perceived, and internalized stigma. Interestingly, none of the included studies examined the effect of incarceration length on anticipated stigma, which may be a more robust indicator of engagement in maladaptive coping responses and stigma management strategies (Earnshaw et al, 2013).…”

Criminal Justice and Community Psychology: Our Values and Our Work—The Introduction to the Special Issue

“…Zielinski et al also report on successful features of community‐university partnerships, calling particular attention to the importance of partnership participants making a unique contribution to the collaborative work. Finally, the first half of the special issue closes out with work from McWilliams and Hunter (2021) focusing on the needs of individuals with prior criminal convictions. McWilliams and Hunter explore how stigma associated with a prior felony or misdemeanor conviction negatively impacts quality of life among individuals with criminal records.…”