Perceived societal meritocratic climate and self-stigma among adolescents in conflict with the law: the mediating role of collective self-esteem and social disconnection

Introduction This research investigated the relationship between perceived meritocratic climate and self-stigma among adolescents in conflict with the law across two studies. Methods Study 1 ( N = 322) employed a cross-sectional survey; Study 2 ( N = 254) used an experimental manipulation of perceived (non)meritocratic climate. Results In Study 1, perceived meritocratic climate positively predicted self-stigma, and an exploratory serial mediation via collective self-esteem and social disconnection was observed. In Study 2, the serial mediation was not replicated; instead, the effect was mediated solely by social disconnection. Discussion These findings suggest that perceived meritocratic climate, as a subjective manifestation of structural social evaluation, reinforces a dual stigmatized identity of being both an offender and a failure. Short-term interventions should focus on enhancing social connectedness to buffer against self-stigma, while long-term efforts should facilitate integration into socially valued and accepting groups, thereby elevating collective self-esteem, strengthening social connection, and ultimately reducing self-stigma.