The intersectionality of criminality and substance use self-stigmas.

Abstract

Research has consistently demonstrated that a substantial number of individuals in the criminal justice system struggle with substance misuse. Furthermore, rates of relapse and recidivism among this population are high. One challenge facing this population is self-stigma, the process in which negative stereotypes and public perceptions about an aspect of one's identity are internalized onto one's sense of self. Self-stigma has been shown to have negative implications for both individuals in the criminal justice system and individuals with substance use concerns, including reduced self-efficacy, self-esteem, and treatment engagement. Thus far, however, few, if any studies have examined the intersecting effects of criminality self-stigma and substance use self-stigma. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to examine how criminality self-stigma and substance use self-stigma individually and collectively predicted self-esteem, drug avoidance self-efficacy, and treatment engagement. A sample of 912 previously incarcerated adults with a history of substance misuse completed several online self-report measures. Findings suggested that substance use and criminality self-stigmas both individually and collectively predicted self-esteem and treatment engagement, and substance use self-stigma and the interaction effect predicted drug avoidance self-efficacy. Additional findings and implications for future treatment and prevention efforts are discussed.

The stigma of incarceration experience: A systematic review.

“…The majority of participants in the sample described by West et al (2015, 2018) had committed drug-related offenses (40.7%) or attempted murder/assault (34.6%). Newman and Crowell (2021) included participants primarily charged with alcohol or drug-related offenses (43%), violent crimes such as homicide or assault (12%), nonviolent offenses (e.g., larceny, fraud; 11%), or both violent and drug-related offenses (7%). Participants in the studies by Winnick and Bodkin (2008, 2009) had primarily been incarcerated for burglary or robbery (32.3%), drug or property crimes (29.0%), assault (18.9%), sex offenses (17.8%), or murder (12.8%).…”

“…Three studies (Moore, Milam, et al, 2018; Moore, Tangney, et al, 2016; Newman & Crowell, 2021) used an adapted version of the Self-Stigma of Mental Illness scale (SSMI; Corrigan et al, 2006), which was renamed to the Self-Stigma of Individuals with Criminal Records (SSICR) scale, to assess for perceived stigma related to one’s criminal record. Moore, Tangney and colleagues (2016) described using research on offender stereotypes to adapt the SSMI scale into the SSICR scale.…”

“…Most studies did not distinguish between sex (i.e., sex assigned at birth) and gender identity, making it unclear whether participants' specified sex and/or gender identity aligned with their sex assigned at birth (i.e., whether they were cis-or transgender). Just four studies (Newman & Crowell, 2021;West et al, 2015West et al, , 2018Young et al, 2005) reported on the percentage of participants who identified as transgender.…”

The Impact of Stigma on People with Opioid Use Disorder, Opioid Treatment, and Policy

“… 20 , 21 Furthermore, the intersection of stigma associated with criminality and substance use can have detrimental impacts on patient self-efficacy and treatment engagement. 18 There is also some evidence that people with mental health problems who use substances experience differing levels of stigma, 17 although further research is needed to understand the relationships between specific mental health disorders and opioid or other drug-related stigma.…”

“…16 It is important to note that the stigma associated with opioid use disorder does not exist in isolation, but intersects with and is compounded by marginalisation linked to race, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and age. 17,18 This is of particular importance in relation to the opioid crisis, which has disproportionally affected communities facing high levels of poverty, income inequality, and lack of access to social capital. 19 Stigma also creates barriers for people with opioid use disorder in the criminal justice system, with widespread misconceptions regarding the purpose and benefits of treatment leading to programmes that are often unavailable or poorly implemented.…”