The self-stigma process in criminal offenders.

Abstract

Upon conviction, individuals receive the stigmatizing label “criminal offender.” Existing stereotypes about criminal offenders may be integrated into the self-concept, a phenomenon known as self-stigma. In many stigmatized groups, self-stigma is a robust predictor of poor functioning (Livingston & Boyd, 2010; Schomerus et al., 2011). However, little is known about how self-stigma occurs (Corrigan et al., 2006), and there has been limited research with criminal offenders. This study examines a theoretical model of self-stigma in which perceived stigma leads to stereotype agreement, internalized stigma, and then to anticipated stigma. A sample of 203 male jail inmates completed assessments of these constructs just prior to release. Results show a significant indirect path from perceived stigma to stereotype agreement to internalized stigma, but not to anticipated stigma. However, perceived stigma was directly related to anticipated stigma. In conclusion, perceived stigma affects the self through two processes: it indirectly leads to internalized stigma through one avenue, and directly leads to anticipated stigma through a separate avenue. Race, criminal identity, and attitudes toward criminals were examined as moderators.

A conceptual model for understanding post-release opioid-related overdose risk

“…Upon release from jail or prison, blacks face greater stigma and discrimination relative to whites, which may affect employment and access to medical care. [47, 48]. This type of discrimination may affect the risk of post-release opioid-related overdose; however, post-release opioid-related overdose mortality is greater among whites released from jail or prison relative to blacks and other racial minorities [15, 16].…”

“…There are few groups as highly stigmatized as PRJP [69]. PRJP perceive high levels of stigma, which may lead them to internalize the stigma and ultimately self-stigmatize [47, 70]. Among PRJP in New York state, 65.3% reported discrimination due to their prior criminal justice involvement [71].…”

Mental Health Providers’ Attitudes About Criminal Justice–Involved Clients With Serious Mental Illness

“…Providers’ lower level of regard for criminal justice–involved clients is consistent with prior research showing that individuals recently released from prison reported feeling subject to discrimination by health care workers (14). These negative attitudes may stem from the risk factors for criminal justice involvement, such as impulsive or aggressive behavior, that can make working with justice-involved clients a challenge; the negative attitudes may also represent an implicit bias, pervasive in U.S. society, against people with criminal records (15). Future research should elucidate how these differing attitudes by clients’ criminal justice status affect service delivery and care.…”

“I changed and hid my old ways”: How social rejection and social identities shape well‐being among ex‐prisoners

“…We therefore took a broad approach to measuring rejection and included measures of both perceived discrimination and stigma towards ex‐prisoners. We measured perceived discrimination using an adapted version of the Perceptions of Discrimination Scale (Schmitt & Branscombe, ; 9 items used in Cruwys & Gunaseelan, ; α = 0.91), and measured perceived stigma using the 8‐item subscale from the Self‐Stigma of Individuals with Criminal Records scale (SSICR; Moore, Tangney, & Stuewig, ; α = 0.94). The discrimination scale assesses personal experiences and perceptions of discrimination, whereas the stigma scale assesses perceptions of the attitudes underlying discriminatory behavior.…”