Development and validation of Risk Assessment Tool for Extremism (RATE) for young people in Pakistan.

Abstract

In the present study, we aimed to identify and measure the risk factors for developing extremist tendencies. We thus developed a comprehensive risk assessment tool to identify extremism and violent tendencies among young people in the context of Pakistan. This research is being carried out in three successive studies that are built upon each other. In Study-I, we carried out detailed focused group discussions (FGDs) with psychologists, military personnel, religious scholars, police officers, educationists, and media analysts to identify any potential risk factors for extremism. Based upon the findings of FDGs and detailed literature review we generated an item pool comprising of 68 items to assess such risk factors among young people in Pakistan. A tryout for initial version of the newly developed test was conducted (n = 32) for the scale to assess preliminary psychometric properties and face validity of the scale. In study II, we carried out Exploratory Factor Analysis on a sample comprising of 365 young adults (age 16-30 years; female = 234; male = 131). The scree plot suggested retaining five factors, including lack of tolerance toward others, desire to have control over others, dependant self-worth, lack of religious tolerance, and lack of education. In study III, we recruited 347 participants 142 female (40%) and 205 male (58%) age ranged 16-28 years. The Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) model showed acceptable fit to the data, χ 2 (406) = 2181.890, p < .001; CFI = 0.91; RMSEA = 0.038; SRMR = 0.056. The CFA model largely confirmed the factorial structure we derived from EFA study II sample except "Lack of education" which was not sustained due to poor item loading. In contrast, religious intolerance, although identified as one of the risk factors, appears to contribute minimally to the variance within the model that we developed on Risk Assessment Tool for Extremism (RATE). We found strong positive correlation between Violent Extremism Beliefs Scale (VEBS) and RATE. Moreover, Risk Factors for Extremism have positive correlation with negative psychological outcomes including Depression, Anxiety, and Stress. Public Significance StatementExtremism and radicalization are a growing concern for many societies, especially in low-income countries. This study suggests various significant psychological risk factors for extremism among young individuals. The newly developed scale will be imperative in highlighting the presence and magnitude of risk for extremism among young individuals.

What has Shakespeare got to do with it?

“…The first group of papers examine the potential for peace psychology, the vulnerabilities of youth to extremism, and the cognitive training that can reduce youth vulnerability to extremism (Harpviken, 2021; Savage & Fearon, 2021; Torres-Madronero et al, 2021). The second group of empirical reports provide a picture of the risk assessment undertaken by psychologists and the various risks confronted by youth, including biases in the media that depreciate their particular group (Ehsan et al, 2021; Haji et al, 2021; Reiter et al, 2021). The third group of empirical studies indicate youth resilience and paths to a brighter future (Bang & Collet, 2021; Blom et al, 2021).…”