[fr] Belgium has been particularly challenged by the phenomenon of violent radicalization in recent years. For a comparatively small country that has seen a high number of its citizens head to crisis zones, such as Syria and Iraq, since 2013, several questions about the motivations and factors involved in radicalization arise (Boussois, 2018; Coolsaet, 2019). Clinical experience and research show that adolescents are especially vulnerable and less resistant to phenomena such as radicalization (Campelo et al., 2018). Moreover, the issue of mental disorders is a increasing concern (Schulten 2022 ; Vermeulen et al., 2022), especially among practitioners.
Our study explored several psychological and social factors supporting an intention and approval of radicalization (Moskalenko & McCauley, 2009). A distinction was made between endorsement of an Islamist form of radicalization and legitimization of various other forms of violence.
746 young people (48.5% female, Mage = 17.27) of all backgrounds who attended school in Belgium completed a self-report questionnaire on intention to radicalize, approval of radicalization, sensitivity to justice, need to belong, search for meaning, political interest and commitment.
The results highlight that intention and approval of radicalization are not related to the same factors. Intention to radicalize is more related to personal, social, and political interpretations of society, while approval of radicalization is associated with feelings of responsibility and empathy for those who suffer from collective injustice.
Further, the study explores the trajectory of 4 youth who reported participating in activities labeled as terrorism. Results highlight unique biographies approximating some models of radicalization (Moghaddam, 2009; Khalil et al., 2019), but also a range of nuances in psychological and social factors supporting radicalization.
Findings will be discussed while making connections to clinical experiences and also to practical implications in extremism prevention.
Disciplines :
Treatment & clinical psychology
Speaker :
Vereshchagin, Anton ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Psychologie > Psychologie de la délinquance,des inadaptations sociales et des processus d'insertion
Other collaborator :
Glowacz, Fabienne ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Psychologie > Psychologie de la délinquance,des inadaptations sociales et des processus d'insertion
Language :
French
Title :
EUROCRIM 2023 Florence Conference 23rd Annual Conference of the European Society of Criminology - The Renaissance of European Criminology
Publication date :
07 September 2023
Event name :
EUROCRIM 2023 Florence Conference 23rd Annual Conference of the European Soci- ety of Criminology
Event date :
6 au 9 septembre 2023
Event number :
EUROCRIM 2023 Florence Conference 23rd Annual Conference of the European Society of Criminology
By request :
Yes
Audience :
International
References of the abstract :
Belgium has been particularly challenged by the phenomenon of violent radicalization in recent years. For a comparatively small country that has seen a high number of its citizens head to crisis zones, such as Syria and Iraq, since 2013, several questions about the motivations and factors involved in radicalization arise (Boussois, 2018; Coolsaet, 2019). Clinical experience and research show that adolescents are especially vulnerable and less resistant to phenomena such as radicalization (Campelo et al., 2018). Moreover, the issue of mental disorders is a increasing concern (Schulten 2022 ; Vermeulen et al., 2022), especially among practitioners.
Our study explored several psychological and social factors supporting an intention and approval of radicalization (Moskalenko & McCauley, 2009). A distinction was made between endorsement of an Islamist form of radicalization and legitimization of various other forms of violence.
746 young people (48.5% female, Mage = 17.27) of all backgrounds who attended school in Belgium completed a self-report questionnaire on intention to radicalize, approval of radicalization, sensitivity to justice, need to belong, search for meaning, political interest and commitment.
The results highlight that intention and approval of radicalization are not related to the same factors. Intention to radicalize is more related to personal, social, and political interpretations of society, while approval of radicalization is associated with feelings of responsibility and empathy for those who suffer from collective injustice.
Further, the study explores the trajectory of 4 youth who reported participating in activities labeled as terrorism. Results highlight unique biographies approximating some models of radicalization (Moghaddam, 2009; Khalil et al., 2019), but also a range of nuances in psychological and social factors supporting radicalization.
Findings will be discussed while making connections to clinical experiences and also to practical implications in extremism prevention.
