A systematic review on the relationship between mental health, radicalization and mass violence

Abstract

Radicalization is a process, by which individuals adopt extreme political, social and religious ideation that leads to mass violence acts. It has been hypothesized that mental health characteristics might be associated with a risk of radicalization. However, a qualitative synthesis of studies investigating the relationship between mental health and radicalization has not been performed so far. Therefore, we aimed to perform a systematic review of studies examining the association between mental health characteristics and the risk of radicalization. Two reviewers performed an independent search of online databases from their inception until 8th April 2018 and 12 publications met eligibility criteria. There were several methodological limitations across the majority of eligible publications, including doubtful sample representativeness, use of diagnostic procedures without personal assessment of mental health status or lack of standardized tools for assessment of mental health. Representative cross-sectional studies revealed that depressive symptoms might be associated with radicalization proneness. However, it remains unknown whether depressive symptoms are associated with resilience or vulnerability to radicalization. Another finding from our systematic review is that several personality traits might predispose to develop extreme ideation. Finally, there is some evidence that lone-actors might represent a specific subgroup of subjects with extreme beliefs which can be characterized by high prevalence of psychotic and/or mood disorders. In conclusion, this systematic review indicates that caution should be taken on how the association between ‘mental health’ and ‘radicalization’ is being claimed, because of limited evidence so far, and a number of methodological limitations of studies addressing this issue.

From social adversity to sympathy for violent radicalization: the role of depression, religiosity and social support

“…In this paper, social adversity is defined specifically in terms of perceived discrimination and exposure to violence, which represent two crucial risk factors for violent radicalization [7, 8]. The available empirical evidence shows that different forms of discrimination are related with an increased support for radical actions [4, 9, 10] and an increase in terrorist attacks [11, 12].…”

“…However, there is a paucity of studies investigating how discrimination and exposure to violence are linked to Sympathy for Violent Radicalization (SVR) in both majority and minority groups in the general population. Given the growing number of homegrown young men who embrace violent radicalization processes, as well as the present growth in the number of terrorist attacks, hate crimes and xenophobic incidents worldwide [14–16], the study of the social determinants of SVR represents a top priority in a public health perspective [7, 17]. Of importance, evidence on potential risks and protective factors able to buffer the negative consequences of social adversity on risk of SVR is warranted to inform prevention and intervention actions.…”

Politically Motivated Internet Addiction: Relationships among Online Information Exposure, Internet Addiction, FOMO, Psychological Well-being, and Radicalism in Massive Political Turbulence

“…Figuring out those who are vulnerable to depression and who need professional advice during a protest is a practical concern for clinical psychologists. While the relationship between depression and extremism and terrorist actions is still debatable [41], this research found that depression and support for radical actions as political attitude are associated. Follow-up research is necessary to further examine those who are more likely to conduct deviant and radical activities due to feelings of depression.…”

“…Depression is a mix of negative feelings including sadness, self-disappointment, inefficacy, guilt, etc. Regarding the relationship between depression and radicalism, there was research that investigated how depression as a mental illness related to extreme behaviour and terrorist attacks [41]. However, the relationship between depression and support for radical actions as a general political attitude is rarely discussed.…”

Psychiatry of Radicalization and Terrorism in the Lone Wolf, Children, and Women: An <i>E</i>-ethnographic Approach for Analysis

“…The Lexico Dictionary Online defines radicalization as "the process of causing someone to adopt radical positions on political or social issues" [1]. Radicalization has also been defined as a behavior by which individuals embrace a political, social, or religious ideology that leads to terrorist acts [2]. Prevent (the British agency for the prevention of radicalization) defines radicalization as the practice leading people to endorse terrorism or radical ideologies leading to terrorism [3].…”