Pathways to sympathies for violent protest and terrorism

Bhui, Kamaldeep; Silva, Maria João; Topciu, Raluca A.; Jones, Edgar

doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.116.185173

Cited by 48 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…We are undertaking further research into which types of depressive symptoms are relevant, and comparing white British with Pakistani men and women to explore common factors relating to extremism. A recent analysis of this data shows that depressive symptoms increase sympathies for violent protest and terrorist a little, but surprisingly life events, especially bereavement and giving money to a charity, and to a less significant extent, political participation, are negatively correlated with sympathies; our interpretation is that social connectedness, even if expressed through loss, is protective ( Bhui, Silva, Topciu, & Jones, 2016).…”

Section: A Public Health Approachmentioning

confidence: 46%

The challenge of radicalisation: a public health approach to understanding and intervention

Bhui

Jones

2017

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

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Section: A Public Health Approachmentioning

confidence: 46%

The challenge of radicalisation: a public health approach to understanding and intervention

Bhui

Jones

2017

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

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“…These additional symptoms were included to tackle speculation of relevance, despite there being little empirical evidence. 13,14 Our new analyses attempted to replicate previous work on different samples, with better measures of depressive diagnoses and extremism. We again considered other factors such as social, political and cultural influence which have been proposed as risk factors of extremist attitudes.…”

Section: Mental Illness and Extremismmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…13 Depressive symptoms explained a significant proportion of the association between life events and political engagement with extremist sympathies. 14 Building on our previous studies of extremist beliefs and depressive symptoms in Pakistani and Bangladeshi men and women, this article presents the findings from a new population cohort that compares Pakistani and White British people, who were assessed for ICD-10 diagnoses of depressive illness and of dysthymia rather than depressive symptoms. We also assessed symptoms of personality disorders, autism, generalised anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).…”

Section: Mental Illness and Extremismmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Extremism and common mental illness: cross-sectional community survey of White British and Pakistani men and women living in England

et al. 2019

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BackgroundMental illnesses may explain vulnerability to develop extremist beliefs that can lead to violent protest and terrorism. Yet there is little evidence. AimsTo investigate the relationship between mental illnesses and extremist beliefs. MethodPopulation survey of 618 White British and Pakistani people in England. Extremism was assessed by an established measure of sympathies for violent protest and terrorism (SVPT). Respondents with any positive scores (showing sympathies) were compared with those with all negative scores. We calculated associations between extremist sympathies and ICD-10 diagnoses of depression and dysthymia, and symptoms of anxiety, personality difficulties, autism and post-traumatic stress. Also considered were demographics, life events, social assets, political engagement and criminal convictions. ResultsSVPT were more common in those with major depression with dysthymia (risk ratio 4.07, 95% CI 1.37-12.05, P = 0.01), symptoms of anxiety (risk ratio 1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.15, P = 0.002) or post-traumatic stress (risk ratio 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05, P = 0.003).At greater risk of SVPT were: young adults (<21 versus ≥21: risk ratio 3.05, 95% CI 1.31-7.06, P = 0.01), White British people (versus Pakistani people: risk ratio 2.24, 95% CI 1.25-4.02, P = 0.007) and those with criminal convictions (risk ratio 2.23, 95% CI 1.01-4.95, P = 0.048). No associations were found with life events, social assets and political engagement. ConclusionDepression, dysthymia and symptoms of anxiety and post-traumatic stress are associated with extremist sympathies.Declaration of interest K.B. is editor-in-chief of British Journal of Psychiatry but played no part in review and decision processes.

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“…A recent population study has identified the importance of democratic engagement (actions such as voting in local elections, signing a petition or paying fees to a charity or campaigning organisation) in reducing vulnerability to radical appeals (Bhui et al, 2016).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The reception of broadcast terrorism: recruitment and radicalisation

Jones

2017

International Review of Psychiatry

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The declaration of a caliphate by Islamic State in June 2014 witnessed the recruitment of increasing numbers of foreign terrorist fighters drawn from a diverse range of nations across the globe. This paper seeks to explore the appeal of extreme groups and how recruiters persuade young people to risk either their lives or lengthy terms of imprisonment. The processes of radicalization and recruitment are differentiated and compared with conventional means of encouraging individuals to enlist in state-sanctioned armed forces. The reasons why people join terrorist organizations are influenced by their education, formative experiences, and social or familial connections, whilst these variables, in turn, have an impact on the roles that they then undertake. Whether personality traits explain an over-representation of engineers and doctors amongst leaders of particular extremist groups remains a moot question. The increasing use of the internet and social media as instruments to propagate extremist philosophies may, in part, be responsible for the recent rise in sole actors. The need to involve respected and influential Muslim leaders and organizations is crucial in providing a counter-balance to the message of righteous adventure and belonging promoted by Islamic State.

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Pathways to sympathies for violent protest and terrorism

Abstract: Independent of SVPT associations with depressive symptoms, some expressions of social connectedness (measured as life events and political engagement) are associated with a lower risk of SVPT.

Cited by 48 publications

References 38 publications

The challenge of radicalisation: a public health approach to understanding and intervention

The challenge of radicalisation: a public health approach to understanding and intervention

Extremism and common mental illness: cross-sectional community survey of White British and Pakistani men and women living in England

The reception of broadcast terrorism: recruitment and radicalisation

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