Internalized Stigma, Moral Disengagement, and Criminal Identity among First-Time Incarcerated Young Adults

Abstract

This study examined the connection between Internalized Stigma of individuals with criminal records, mechanisms of moral disengagement, and criminal identity among first-time incarcerated young adults. The aim of study to explore the interrelationship between these psychological factors. A quantitative research design with a cross-sectional design was used. It includes 230 young adults which are first-time incarcerated aged 18–30 years. Data captured with use of   the Internalized stigma of individual with criminal record scale, Mechanisms of Moral Disengagement Scale, and Criminal Social Identity Scale.  Descriptive statistics and Pearson product-moment correlation was used to analyze data. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine associations among study variables. The findings revealed that internalized stigma was significantly positively correlated with moral disengagement and criminal social identity, indicating that individuals experiencing higher levels of stigma were more likely to engage in cognitive processes that reduce personal responsibility and develop stronger criminal identity. Criminal social identity showed strong associations with its dimensions, including cognitive centrality, in-group affect, and in-group ties, highlighting the multidimensional nature of criminal identity formation. Furthermore, moral disengagement demonstrated a significant but weak relationship with criminal social identity. Overall, the findings suggest that internalized stigma plays an important role in shaping maladaptive cognitive processes and identity development among individuals with criminal records.