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

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.