Double Burden: The Intersection of Mental Illness and Criminal History in Public Stigma

Social scientists have long been interested in the intersection of stigma surrounding mental illness and other socially deviant behaviors, such as crime. While mental illness alone has been heavily stigmatized, individuals with a history of criminal behavior often face compounded stigma, which can hinder their reintegration into society. Using data from the 2024 Icelandic Stigma Study, this research examines how the combination of mental illness and criminal behavior influences public attitudes across multiple domains of stigma, including social distance, exclusionary sentiments, perceived dangerousness, and beliefs about treatment. Specifically, the study focuses on individuals with diagnoses of schizophrenia, depression and drug abuse, and compares how stigma differs between those with a criminal record and those without. It also explores whether certain mental health conditions are more likely to exacerbate the stigma of criminal behavior. The analysis further investigates the role of causal attributions—whether the public believes mental illness or crime is a result of personal choice or external factors—in shaping levels of stigma. The results offer critical insights into how mental illness and criminal history interact to intensify public stigmatization, providing a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with both mental illness and a criminal background. These findings have significant implications for stigma reduction strategies and reintegration policies, as they highlight the need for tailored interventions that address the dual stigmatization of mental illness and crime.