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Miconi D, Santavicca T, Frounfelker RL, Mounchingam AN, Rousseau C. Digital media use, depressive symptoms and support for violent radicalization among young Canadians: a latent profile analysis. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:260. [PMID: 38730314 PMCID: PMC11087251 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01739-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the prominent role that digital media play in the lives and mental health of young people as well as in violent radicalization (VR) processes, empirical research aimed to investigate the association between Internet use, depressive symptoms and support for VR among young people is scant. We adopt a person-centered approach to investigate patterns of digital media use and their association with depressive symptoms and support for VR. METHODS A sample of 2,324 Canadian young people (Mage = 30.10; SDage = 5.44 ; 59% women) responded to an online questionnaire. We used latent profile analysis to identify patterns of digital media use and linear regression to estimate the associations between class membership, depressive symptoms and support for VR. RESULTS We identified four classes of individuals with regards to digital media use, named Average Internet Use/Institutional trust, Average internet use/Undifferentiated Trust, Limited Internet Use/Low Trust and Online Relational and Political Engagement/Social Media Trust. Linear regression indicated that individuals in the Online Relational and Political Engagement/Social Media Trust and Average Internet Use/Institutional trust profiles reported the highest and lowest scores of both depression and support for VR, respectively. CONCLUSIONS It is essential to tailor prevention and intervention efforts to mitigate risks of VR to the specific needs and experiences of different groups in society, within a socio-ecological perspective. Prevention should consider both strengths and risks of digital media use and simulteaneously target both online and offline experiences and networks, with a focus on the sociopolitical and relational/emotional components of Internet use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Miconi
- Department of Educational Psychology and Adult Education, University of Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
| | | | | | | | - Cécile Rousseau
- Division of Social and Cultural Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
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Soares N, Allely CS, Straub F, Penner M. Autism Spectrum Disorder, Extremism, and the Role of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatric Clinicians. J Dev Behav Pediatr 2022; 43:480-488. [PMID: 35943379 DOI: 10.1097/dbp.0000000000001108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Extremism is a global phenomenon, with an increasing domestic and international presence. Extremists recruit persons to their causes through online forums that spread hate-filled narratives and promote violence. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder may be vulnerable to recruitment through these online forums, and clinicians who work with autistic adolescents, young adults, and their families should familiarize themselves with the risk and identify strategies based on a multidisciplinary approach in the early identification, holistic prevention, and care-based intervention strategies of at-risk adolescents. This special article, representing an international collaboration between developmental-behavioral pediatrics, law enforcement, and psychology, hopes to shed light on the issue for clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelkamal Soares
- Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI
| | - Clare S Allely
- Department of Psychology, School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Manchester, England
| | - Frank Straub
- Center for Mass Violence Response Studies, National Police Foundation, Arlington, VA ; and
| | - Melanie Penner
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Woodbury-Smith MR, Loftin R, Westphal A, Volkmar FR. Vulnerability to Ideologically-Motivated Violence Among Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:873121. [PMID: 35401260 PMCID: PMC8990964 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.873121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are represented among those who espouse extremist thought and have committed violent acts associated with their beliefs. Media often highlight a perpetrator's psychiatric diagnosis following acts of mass violence, which in some instances has included ASD. ASD may itself not provide useful information for understanding motivations. Instead, understanding specific traits and neuropsychological and other vulnerabilities may offer an opportunity to make sense of these very complex events.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachel Loftin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Alexander Westphal
- Division of Law and Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Fred R Volkmar
- Child Study Center, Yale University and Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT, United States
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Smith A, Buadze A, Dube AR, Schleifer R, Liebrenz M. Volunteer Foreign Fighters in the Ukrainian Conflict and Considerations for Forensic Psychiatry: Toward an Interdisciplinary Dialogue. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:914369. [PMID: 35664472 PMCID: PMC9161556 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.914369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Smith
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anna Buadze
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anish Ranjan Dube
- Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Psychiatry Residency Program Faculty, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Roman Schleifer
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michael Liebrenz
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Grimbergen C, Fassaert T. Occurrence of Psychiatric Disorders, Self-Sufficiency Problems and Adverse Childhood Experiences in a Population Suspected of Violent Extremism. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:779714. [PMID: 35242062 PMCID: PMC8887564 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.779714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Public health-inspired programs for Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) have developed internationally in a relatively short period of time. Research into these programs is scarce. There is a need for information that helps drive public health interventions. OBJECTIVES To present data on the occurrence of psychiatric disorders, self-sufficiency problems and adverse childhood experiences (ACE) in a population suspected of violent extremism. METHODS A cross-sectional study, with data from screening reports for 34 adult subjects included in a multi-agency case-based approach on violent extremism in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Subjects were screened in the period between December 2015 to May 2021. Screening reports, which included the Screener for Intelligence and Learning Disabilities (SCIL) and the Dutch version of the Self-sufficiency Matrix (SSM-D), were used to gather information on the main outcome measures. RESULTS Major psychiatric disease categories were found to be mood and anxiety disorders and mild intellectual disability (each 29.4%), substance related disorders (35.3%), personality disorders (41.2%), and psychotic disorders (14.7%). Complex self-sufficiency problems, measured by the number of people who had self-sufficiency problems in 4+ domains and the number of people who had similar self-sufficiency problems as homeless people in Amsterdam, were found in 35.3 and 32.4% of the client sample. The most prevalent ACE were emotional neglect (47.1%), household mental illness (44.1%), and loss of a parent (38.2%), 35.3% had been exposed to 4+ ACE. An association was found between NACE and self-sufficiency problems on two domains, namely "Mental Health" (rho = 0.51, p = 0.002) and "Law and order" (rho = 0.42, p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS An accumulation of social and psychiatric problems in people suspected of violent extremism underlines the importance of professionals in health and social care being actively involved in developing CVE approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thijs Fassaert
- Public Health Service, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychosocial Care, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Cumulative and independent effects of experiences of social adversity on support for violent radicalization during the COVID-19 pandemic: the mediating role of depression. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2022; 57:1221-1233. [PMID: 35149881 PMCID: PMC9091156 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-022-02244-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Social adversity experiences have increased during the pandemic and are potential risk factors for both depression and support for violent radicalization (VR). However, the cumulative and independent effects of various social adversity experiences on support for VR have yet to be explored. This paper examines the cumulative and independent effects of COVID- and non-COVID-related discrimination, exposure to violence, traditional and cyberbullying victimization on support for VR. In addition, we investigate whether depression mediates the relationship between these forms of social adversity and support for VR. METHODS A total of 6003 young adults (Mage = 27, SDage = 4.40, range 18-35) living in metropolitan areas in Canada responded to an online survey. We used multivariable regression models, controlling for socio-demographic characteristics, to infer covariate adjusted associations between social adversity measures and support for VR. Additionally, we conducted a formal mediation analysis to estimate the proportion mediated by depression. RESULTS There was a cumulative relationship between experiences of social adversity and support for VR (β = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.32, 1.72). COVID-related discrimination and cyberbullying victimization were independently associated with stronger support for VR. Depression partially mediated the effect of cumulative social adversity, COVID-related discrimination and cyberbullying on support for VR. CONCLUSION Prevention programs during the present pandemic should prioritize decreasing discrimination and providing psychosocial support to depressed young adults who experience social adversity. Practitioners should prioritize developing programs that foster digital literacy skills and critical thinking among young adults to address the concerning impact of cyberbullying on support for VR.
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Ahearn ER, Bhui K, Jones E. What factors are truly associated with risk for radicalisation? A secondary data analysis within a UK sample. Transcult Psychiatry 2021; 58:645-653. [PMID: 32611222 DOI: 10.1177/1363461520933755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Radicalisation and extremist violence are of increasing concern internationally. The unconventional, decentralised, and transnational nature of modern terrorism involves an active process of radicalisation requiring national security responses to reflect findings from recent empirical research. This study aims to identify factors that relate to extremist attitudes and potential vulnerability to radicalisation in order to inform preventative action. A cross-sectional survey was conducted of a representative population sample of men and women aged 18-45 of Muslim heritage recruited by quota sampling in two English cities. Logistic regressions were performed on a seven-item dichotomised measure based on our previously developed scale of 'sympathy for terrorist acts'. Scores representing 'non-condemnation of these acts' were deemed to represent risk for radicalisation. Thirteen respondents had a positive score on the sympathy for terrorism measure (2.4%), 39 scored zero (6.41%) and the remainder (91.4%) had a negative score representing condemnation of terrorist acts. There was a significant association between sympathy for terrorism and belonging to the local or global Muslim community, anxiety, and support for the use of defensive violence. Gender, religious identity, country of birth, belief in Sharia law, the importance of religion in life, and mosque attendance were all not associated with sympathy for terrorism. The results contribute to an understanding of the radicalisation process and have potential value in developing preventative public health interventions.
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Bhui K, Otis M, Halvorsrud K, Freestone M, Jones E. Assessing risks of violent extremism in depressive disorders: Developing and validating a new measure of Sympathies for Violent Protest and Terrorism. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2020; 54:1078-1085. [PMID: 32702996 DOI: 10.1177/0004867420944520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Clinicians are tasked with assessing the relationship between violence and mental illness. Yet, there is now a legal expectation in some countries that public services, including health professionals, assess risk of violent extremism - with few available measures. We previously developed a new measure of Sympathies for Radicalisation, using items that measure Sympathies for Violent Protest and Terrorism. In this paper, we present the detailed psychometric properties of a reduced item measure of Sympathies for Violent Protest and Terrorism. We use data from two studies to test replication and then validity against outcomes of self-reported violence and convictions in the entire sample and in those with depressive symptoms. METHODS Data from two cross-sectional neighbourhood surveys, consisting of Pakistani and Bangladeshi adults (survey 1, n = 608) and White British and Pakistani adults (survey 2, n = 618), were used to undertake confirmatory factor analysis of Sympathies for Radicalisation and produce a short measure of Sympathies for Violent Protest and Terrorism. Survey 2 data were used to test the Sympathies for Violent Protest and Terrorism's convergent validity to classify presence/absence of violence and convictions in the whole sample and for subgroups by depressive disorder. RESULTS The seven-item measure's structure was a consistent measure of extremist attitudes across the two surveys. A threshold score of zero to classify violence was optimal (specificity = 89.7%; area under the curve = 0.75), but sensitivity to a risk of violence was poor (34.5%). The short version Sympathies for Radicalisation was a better classifier of violence in respondents with depression, dysthymia or both (area under the curve = 0.78) than respondents with neither (area under the curve = 0.69; β = 0.62, 95% confidence interval = [-0.67, 1.92]; standard error = 0.66). CONCLUSION The seven-item measure of Sympathies for Violent Protest and Terrorism is an accessible and valid measure for clinical assessments and helpfully identifies low risk of violence. It enables clinicians to conduct detailed assessments of people endorsing one or more of the items, although further research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamaldeep Bhui
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK.,Centre for Psychiatry, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.,World Psychiatric Association UK Collaborating Centre, London, UK.,Centre for Understanding Personality (CUSP) at East London NHS Foundation, London, UK
| | - Michaela Otis
- Centre for Psychiatry, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.,World Psychiatric Association UK Collaborating Centre, London, UK
| | - Kristoffer Halvorsrud
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK.,Centre for Psychiatry, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.,World Psychiatric Association UK Collaborating Centre, London, UK
| | - Mark Freestone
- Centre for Psychiatry, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.,World Psychiatric Association UK Collaborating Centre, London, UK.,The Alan Turing Institute, British Library, London, UK
| | - Edgar Jones
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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