Do Radicalized Minors Have Different Social and Psychological Profiles From Radicalized Adults?

Abstract

Introduction: Radicalization is a major issue in Western societies. Supposedly, there is no predefined pathway leading to radicalization. However, youth appears to be at risk for radicalization. The aim of this study was to compare the social and psychological profiles of radicalized minors and radicalized adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study is based on the first large prospective sample of young French individuals (N = 150) who aimed to join the Islamic State (IS) between 2014 and 2016. This sample included 70 adolescents (mean age 15.82 years old, SD 1.14) and 80 young adults (mean age 23.32 years, SD 4.99). We compared the two groups on their sociodemographic and psychological characteristics. Results: Radicalized minors and radicalized adults have different profiles and follow different paths in the radicalization process. Among the group of minors, there are significantly more female subjects (81.4% versus 55.0%, adj. p = 0.007) and more self-harm history before radicalization (44.3% versus 16.2%, p <0.001). In addition, there are significantly less attempts to radicalize the entourage (24.3% versus 50.0%, adj. p = 0.007), and a tendency to show less cases of radicalization among the entourage (32.9% versus 52.5%, adj. p = 0.075) and less radicalization through physical encounter (45.7% versus 65%, adj. p = 0.082). Discussion: Overall, radicalized minors appear to be more psychologically vulnerable individuals than radicalized adults. These differences highlight the importance of tailored interventions in order to prevent radicalization among vulnerable adolescents.

Systematic Review of Mental Health Problems and Violent Extremism

“…Other mental health problems are also apparent within various studies. For example, Oppetit et al (2019) examined the case files of 150 French individuals who sought to join ISIS. 12.7% spent time in psychiatric wards before their offense.…”

“…-17.6% and 71.4% who experienced physical abuse (Dhumad et al, 2020;Oppetit et al, 2019;Simi et al, 2016;Bazex et al,2017;Baron, 1997;Jasko et al, 2017), -23% and 28.5% sexual abuse (Oppetit et al, 2019;Simi et al, 2016;Baron, 1997), -16.35% and 85.3% neglect or psychological abuse (Oppetit et al, 2019;Dhumad et al, 2020;Simi et al, 2016;Bazex et al,2017), -36% and 82% parental abandonment (Simi et al, 2016;Oppetit et al, 2019), -18.6% and 64% domestic or neighbourhood violence (Oppetit et al, 2019;Simi et al, 2016;Bazex et al,2017;Carmona Parra, 2012) Baron (1997) argues such instances of abuse lead to distrust of authority figures, increased time on the streets with (delinquent) peers, increases the likelihood of violence being accepted as a method of dispute management, decreases empathy and makes the victimization of others more likely. Kleinmann (2012) adds negative self-esteem and identity issues as further knock-on effects of experienced trauma amongst violent extremists.…”

“…Case study designs (Aly & Striegher, 2012) and group-level analyses assert a high degree of substance abuse. Closed source analyses demonstrate 22% of ISIS foreign fighters in France addicted to drugs (Oppetit, 2019) and 41.7% of radicalised prisoners previously being regular drug users (Stys et al, 2014). 73% of Simi et al's (2016) sample self-reported problems with alcohol and/or illegal drugs.…”

Systematic review of mental health problems and violent extremism

“…-17.6% and 71.4% who experienced physical abuse (Dhumad et al, 2020;Oppetit et al, 2019;Simi et al, 2016;Bazex et al,2017;Baron, 1997;Jasko et al, 2017), -23% and 28.5% sexual abuse (Oppetit et al, 2019;Simi et al, 2016;Baron, 1997), -16.35% and 85.3% neglect or psychological abuse (Oppetit et al, 2019;Dhumad et al, 2020;Simi et al, 2016;Bazex et al,2017), -36% and 82% parental abandonment (Simi et al, 2016;Oppetit et al, 2019), -18.6% and 64% domestic or neighbourhood violence (Oppetit et al, 2019;Simi et al, 2016;Bazex et al,2017;Carmona Parra, 2012) Baron (1997) argues such instances of abuse lead to distrust of authority figures, increased time on the streets with (delinquent) peers, increases the likelihood of violence being accepted as a method of dispute management, decreases empathy and makes the victimization of others more likely. Kleinmann (2012) adds negative self-esteem and identity issues as further knock-on effects of experienced trauma amongst violent extremists.…”

Domestic Support for Foreign Fighting: Attitudes Towards the Use of Violence Abroad

“…In addition to these socio-economic factors, a recent study of at-risk radicalised individuals found specific traits amongst radicalised adolescents. By comparing the social and psychological profiles of radicalised adolescents and adults, Oppetit et al (2019) found that the younger sample of radicals had a higher percentage of female radicals, compared to the adult group and in general the adolescents seemed more psychologically vulnerable. A study of former or current foreign fighters from Denmark who joined militant Islamist groups in Syria and/or Iraq also touched upon this issue (Sheikh 2016).…”