Rethinking Radicalization Leading to Violence as a Global Health Issue

Miconi, Diana; Frounfelker, Rochelle L.; Zoldan, Yann; Rousseau, Cécile

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-57296-9_125

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 53 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Whilst Brexit activists are far from terrorists, the process in which some of these “ordinary citizens” become willing to undertake violence may follow the same pathway as individuals who progress much further. In this way, activist and campaign groups may provide a useful insight into the subject of radicalization and its often tragic consequences, a psychological and socio-ecological approach to which is likely to be more productive than one that is purely security-driven (Miconi et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Radicalization of Brexit Activists

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Brexit activists demonstrating outside the British Houses of Parliament were studied in situ to examine their potential for pro-group extreme behavior. This involved activists of two polarized, opposing views; those of Leave and Remain. The research engaged concepts linking the different theoretical perspectives of identity fusion and personal construct psychology. The study measured participants' degree of fusion to their group using a verbal measure. Willingness to undertake extreme acts was assessed in several ways: a measure of willingness to fight for the group, adaptations of the trolley dilemma and questions regarding political violence. Individual construing was examined using repertory grid technique and a semi-structured interview. Results were similar for both Leave and Remain participants. The majority of activists identified as “fused” to their group and, if so, were more likely to undertake hypothetical extreme behavior compared to those who did not identify as “fused.” Repertory grid technique indicated that becoming an activist provided individuals with a clearer and more positive view of themselves. Opposition activists were construed more negatively and extremely than fellow activists, and this construal was associated with an increased willingness to undertake extreme pro-group behavior. This was consistent with the personal construct model of radicalization and was heightened in those who were “fused.” Interview data provided support for the constructivist model and revealed characteristics and concerns of the two groups. Overall, the findings indicate that campaigning organizations contain fused individuals, who are more likely to undertake hypothetical pro-group violence including self-sacrifice. This has broader implications which may be particularly pertinent, given the violent impact of extremist activists around the globe.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Radicalization of Brexit Activists

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The socioecological framework proposes that the interaction between micro (individual), meso (group), Running head: YOUTH FAR-RIGHT VIOLENT RADICALIZATION PROFILES and macro-level (societal) risk factors may make someone vulnerable for violent radicalization (Doosje et al, 2016). It can be viewed as a global public health issue, resulting from the presence and interaction of risk factors at different levels (Miconi et al, 2021).…”

Section: Risk Factors For Violent Radicalizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, it seems appropriate and helpful to apply a public health perspective to the problem of violent radicalization. To this date, countries have often adopted ineffective, and sometimes even counterproductive, security-driven approaches to address violent radicalization with the risk of increasing public anxiety, stigmatization, and unjust profiling (Miconi et al, 2021). Furthermore, programs that build youth's resiliency againt violent radicalization might, from a public health perspective, fall short.…”

Section: Prevention and Policy Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Far-right violent radicalization profiles of youth in the Netherlands

Duindam,

Verhoef,

van den Akker

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives. Far-right radicalization has been on the rise in Europe (Europol, 2021), with radicalized individuals becoming younger in age (Emmelkamp et al., 2020). To better understand the risks for radicalization, the current study explored to what extent far-right radicalization profiles could be detected in a sample of Dutch youth (N = 1249, age range: 15- 26-years-old).Methods. A latent profile analysis was performed based on participants’ far-right nativistic attitudes and willingness to commit violence for their ideological beliefs. Associations between profile membership, demographic variables, and risk factors were tested.Results. Four profiles were detected: Right-wing radicals (n = 93), radical experimenters (n = 303), susceptible radicals (n = 406), and non-radicalized youth (n = 447). The more radicalized youth were on average younger in age, more likely to be males with an immigrant cultural background, less likely to be enrolled in tertiary education, and more likely to report using drugs. All risk factors were associated with profile membership and there was a higher likelihood of risk factors being present in the more radicalized profiles.Conclusions. Results demonstrated that anti-radicalization programming should focus on youth with behavioral problems who experience injustice, view their own group as superior, and consider the government illegimate.

show abstract

“…V iolent radicalization (VR) is a social and psychological process through which people become committed to extremist ideologies and may ultimately engage in violent action to support a political or social cause (Bhui et al, 2012). Within a public health framework, prevention of VR includes assessing population-level attitudes and beliefs toward the legitimization of violence and identifying risk and protective factors that can be targeted for primary prevention initiatives (Miconi et al, 2021a). To date, population-level studies of sympathy for VR have identified key risk factors including mental health challenges and exposure to social adversities such as interpersonal violence and discrimination (Rousseau et al, 2019).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Violent Radicalization, Mental Health, and Gender Identity

Li¹,

Frounfelker

Miconi

et al. 2023

J Nerv Ment Dis

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study examines the association between gender identity, mental health, social adversity, and sympathy for violent radicalization (VR). Data were collected through an online survey in Canada. A total of 6003 eligible participants who were residents of Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, or Edmonton and aged from 18 to 35 years were included. We used Fisher exact test to assess gender differences in gender-based discrimination and we used analysis of variance tests to assess differences in scores on bullying, mental health, and sympathy for VR. We used linear regression to assess the relationship between mental health, social adversities, and sympathy for VR. Individuals who self-identified as trans and gender diverse had greater sympathy for VR than females did, experienced online victimization more frequently, and reported higher levels of psychological distress than both male and female participants. Our findings indicate that more research is needed on the association between social adversity and support for VR among this vulnerable population.

show abstract

Rethinking Radicalization Leading to Violence as a Global Health Issue

Cited by 4 publications

References 53 publications

The Radicalization of Brexit Activists

The Radicalization of Brexit Activists

Far-right violent radicalization profiles of youth in the Netherlands

Violent Radicalization, Mental Health, and Gender Identity

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About