Psychological Factors Affecting Perceived Stigma of Pre-prisoners and their Families
Authors:   Form of Public Safety and Culture, Park Myeong In , Gong Jung Sik , Hong Su Been 
Published: February 2023

The reintegration of individuals with a criminal history into society after serving time in correctional facilities poses significant challenges for both the individual and their family. Approximately 60,000 such individuals are released back into society each year, and the impact of imprisonment and release can be deeply detrimental to the well-being of their families. The stigma faced by families of these individuals often leads to isolation and the loss of social connections, as well as exacerbating the practical difficulties they may experience. This stigma can also lead to negative experiences and increased suffering for the family, beyond that experienced by the individual with a criminal history. Given that the support and resources provided by the family can greatly contribute to the individual's successful reintegration and reduced likelihood of recidivism, it is important to protect families from social stigma and discrimination. However, research on the stigma faced by these families is limited, as are legal and support systems specifically geared towards them. This study aims to better understand the stigma faced by families of individuals with a criminal history, as well as the psychological factors that influence their perception of this stigma.
This study used descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, t-test, and regression analysis on a total of 127 data points collected from the 2022 Gyeonggi-do 『Psychological treatment support project for families of individuals on probation and others』. The data included 57 responses from individuals with criminal records and 70 responses from their family members.
As a result, there were statistically significant differences in the stigma perception of individuals with a criminal record and their families in terms of negative anger response, family predictability, drinking frequency, and drinking problems. However, no significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of the rest of the variables, including the perception of stigma, indicating that the psychological state of the family is not significantly different from that of the individuals with a criminal history. The main psychological factors influencing the stigma of individuals with a criminal record and their families were found to be negative anger responses and negative self-concept. In addition, family predictability was identified as a psychological factor affecting self-stigma among families, suggesting that a greater degree of predictability among family members may be associated with higher levels of self-stigma and an increased number of negative predictions.
This study suggests the need for further research on the psychological state of families of individuals with a criminal history, as well as the implementation of ongoing educational and psychological support programs to address the challenges faced by these families. Additionally, it is important to consider expanding the legal system to provide practical support for these families.