Social stigma,internalised shame and psychological struggles in adopted adolescents: A mediated model

Abstract

This study investigated the psychosocial impact of perceived social stigma on adopted adolescents in Peshawar, Pakistan, focusing on emotional regulation difficulties, identity confusion and internalised shame. Grounded in Goffman’s stigma theory and Erikson’s theory of identity development, the research examined how stigmatising societal attitudes influence adolescents aware of their adoptive status. A total of 709 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years, who had lived with their adoptive families for at least three years and were enrolled in formal education, completed structured questionnaires with newly developed and validated scales measuring stigma, shame, identity confusion and emotional regulation. Using structural equation modelling, findings revealed that perceived social stigma significantly predicted internalised shame, emotional regulation difficulties and identity confusion. Internalised shame acted as a key psychological mechanism in these associations. Adolescents who felt stigmatised were more likely to internalise this negativity as shame, which in turn heightened their struggles with emotional regulation and identity development. These results highlight the psychological toll of stigmatisation on adopted youth and underscore the critical role of shame in shaping their development. The findings provide insights for educators, psychologists and social workers in supporting adopted adolescents and suggest the need for stigma reduction efforts in educational and social settings.

Plain language summary

In Pakistan, adoption is often surrounded by secrecy and negative social attitudes. Many families hide the fact that a child is adopted because of cultural and religious beliefs that value biological lineage. As a result, adopted young people may face stigma, feel excluded or be treated as outsiders. These experiences can deeply affect how teenagers see themselves and manage their emotions. This study set out to understand how social stigma influences the emotional and identity development of adopted adolescents in Peshawar, a large city in northern Pakistan. We worked with 709 boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 18. To take part, each young person filled out questionnaires designed to measure experiences of stigma, feelings of shame, challenges with emotions and difficulties in building a clear sense of identity. The findings showed that when teenagers felt stigmatised, they often began to believe the negative views of others. They internalised these attitudes as shame, which made them feel unworthy or inferior. This shame then created further problems: it became harder for them to regulate their emotions and to form a stable and positive sense of who they are. In other words, shame was the key link between social stigma and the difficulties young people experienced in managing their feelings and building their identity. These results highlight the serious impact of stigma on adopted adolescents. They show why it is important for families, schools and communities to reduce negative attitudes and offer supportive environments. By addressing shame directly and creating safe spaces for open discussion, educators, psychologists and social workers can help adopted teenagers develop healthier emotions and stronger identities.