Exploring cognitive patterns underpinning drug offending among incarcerated men: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Drug-related crimes are a multifaceted issue with significant social consequences. With rising recidivism rates, it is crucial that more emphasis is placed on the cognitive patterns that underlie such offences to enable effective behavior change. This study sought to explore how cognitive processes are associated with drug-related offences in incarcerated males in Malaysia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 incarcerated males. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) captured (i) cognitive rationalizations, (ii) cognitive rigidity, and (iii) fatalistic thinking. These cognitive patterns were not distinct from one another; rather, they reinforced one another, resulting in a psychological framework that facilitated continued drug use and criminal behavior. These findings highlight the need to look beyond behavioral models of addiction and include the underlying cognitive biases that influence the actions of the incarcerated population. Addressing these cognitive rationalizations may provide a more targeted, psychologically informed, and long-term approach to therapeutic intervention and the prevention of recidivism.