Cumulative and independent effects of experiences of social adversity on support for violent radicalization during the COVID-19 pandemic: the mediating role of depression

Abstract

Purpose Social adversity experiences have increased during the pandemic and are potential risk factors for both depression and support for violent radicalization (VR). However, the cumulative and independent effects of various social adversity experiences on support for VR have yet to be explored. This paper examines the cumulative and independent effects of COVID- and non-COVID-related discrimination, exposure to violence, traditional and cyberbullying victimization on support for VR. In addition, we investigate whether depression mediates the relationship between these forms of social adversity and support for VR. Methods A total of 6003 young adults ( M age = 27, SD age = 4.40, range 18–35) living in metropolitan areas in Canada responded to an online survey. We used multivariable regression models, controlling for socio-demographic characteristics, to infer covariate adjusted associations between social adversity measures and support for VR. Additionally, we conducted a formal mediation analysis to estimate the proportion mediated by depression. Results There was a cumulative relationship between experiences of social adversity and support for VR ( β = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.32, 1.72). COVID-related discrimination and cyberbullying victimization were independently associated with stronger support for VR. Depression partially mediated the effect of cumulative social adversity, COVID-related discrimination and cyberbullying on support for VR. Conclusion Prevention programs during the present pandemic should prioritize decreasing discrimination and providing psychosocial support to depressed young adults who experience social adversity. Practitioners should prioritize developing programs that foster digital literacy skills and critical thinking among young adults to address the concerning impact of cyberbullying on support for VR. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00127-022-02244-8.

Preference for online social interactions and support for violent radicalization among college and university students.

“…In the present study, we were interested in exploring whether part or all of the association between preference for online social interactions and support for VR could be explained by depressive symptoms (rather than how much online social interactions were explained by depressive symptoms, even if both hypotheses are plausible). Furthermore, depression has been studied as a mediator in the association between multiple experiences (discrimination, violence, cyberbullying) and support for VR, which partly supports our model choice (Miconi, Levinsson, et al, 2022). However, the risk of reverse causality cannot be completely excluded and results should be interpreted with caution.…”

“…In other words, students who felt more comfortable in their relationships online than in their daily offline contexts of life reported more depressive symptoms, which were in turn associated with stronger support for VR. Mounting evidence points to the potential mediating role of depressive symptoms in the association between contextual stressors (e.g., social adversity) and support for VR (Miconi, Levinsson, et al, 2022; Rousseau, Hassan, et al, 2019). Our study suggests a potential mediating role of depressive symptoms in the association between specific social experiences in the online context and support for VR, supporting the idea of a complex interaction between online and offline variables when it comes to attitudes leading to VR.…”

“…It is urgent that educational settings find ways to systemically contribute to students well-being to reduce distress by fostering a capacity for hope in spite of the cumulative adversity (e.g., the pandemic, war, climate changes) which may jeopardize the future (Miconi, Geenen, et al, 2022; Miconi, Levinsson, et al, 2022). Beyond programs aimed at promoting alternative or counter-discourses online, which have not been proven effective (Carthy et al, 2020), creative online and offline interventions may be an avenue to reach out to youth who are searching online for a place to belong and to make sense of their ideologies and experiences.…”

“…Although depressive symptoms do not necessarily lead to greater risk of VR (Misiak et al, 2019), multiple studies indicate a positive association between depressive symptoms and support for VR in nonclinical samples of students and young adults alike (Bhui et al, 2014, 2016, 2020; Miconi, Geenen, et al, 2022; Rousseau, Oulhote, et al, 2019). Indeed, a recent meta-analysis confirmed that psychological distress measured in terms of depressive symptoms is a consistent risk factor for support for VR among young people (Jahnke et al, 2022) and was found to mediate the association between social adversity and support for VR among youth (Miconi, Levinsson, et al, 2022; Rousseau, Hassan, et al, 2019). Although there is some evidence for an association of preference for online social interactions with both depressive symptoms and support for VR, as well as evidence for an association between depressive symptoms and support for VR, we do not know yet whether depressive symptoms mediate the association between preference for online social interactions and support for VR.…”

College students’ exercise experience and aggression during COVID-19: A chain mediating model

“…These negative events may include social alienation and excessive control on intimate relationships, etc. Miconi et al (2022) believed that social adversity can positively predict the aggressive behavior of college students, and can relieve anxiety, depression, anger, and other unhealthy emotions through attacks. During the pandemic, students’ interpersonal communication was affected, they lacked a sense of group membership, and they were inevitably subject to various requirements and controls from their parents at home.…”