Does self‐concept adjustment towards perceived social images predict recidivism? A longitudinal test of (one pathway of) the labelling hypothesis

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigated a possible mechanism of the labelling effect.

Method

In a longitudinal study with a cohort of N = 836 first-time incarcerated young men, it was tested whether the perceived label as deviant by others would predict future recidivism and second, whether adaptation of the actual self-concept to the perceived view by others was associated with recidivism.

Results

The analyses found no relationship between self-concept adaptivity and recidivism. However, the perception of perceived deviant social stigma significantly predicts recidivism after release.

Conclusion

The results confirm a ‘labelling effect’ on recidivism. However, as opposed to the social-constructivist labelling argument, the mechanism of this effect does not seem to rest on a direct transfer of social stigma into the actual self-concept.