Rochelle L Frounfelker1, Thomas Frissen2, Isabella Vanorio3, Cecile Rousseau4, Leen d'Haenens2. 1. Division of Social and Transcultural Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. rochelle.frounfelker@mail.mcgill.ca. 2. Institute for Media Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. 3. École des hautes études en Santé Publique, Paris, France. 4. Division of Social and Transcultural Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Violence committed by extremists has serious violent and non-violent public health consequences. Researchers have hypothesized an association between experiencing discrimination and support for radicalization. This study examines the relationship between perceived discrimination and support for violent extremism among youth and young adults in Belgium. METHODS: A total of 2037 young adults between the ages of 16 and 30 participated in the study. We used multivariate linear regression to determine the association between sociodemographic characteristics, experiences of perceived discrimination, and scores on the Radical Intention Scale (RIS). RESULTS: Sex, religion, generation status, and language were associated with experiencing discrimination. Sex and language were associated with scores on the RIS. Discrimination based on language and political views was independently associated with scores on the RIS. Discrimination experienced during interactions with the police/justice system was also associated with RIS scores. CONCLUSIONS: Public health primary prevention programs and policies that target the relationship between discrimination and sympathy for violent radicalization need to be situated on micro- to macro-levels. Of primary importance is the development of partnerships between stakeholders in public health, legal, political, and educational sectors to develop strategies to diminish discrimination and promote positive civic engagement among youth.
OBJECTIVES: Violence committed by extremists has serious violent and non-violent public health consequences. Researchers have hypothesized an association between experiencing discrimination and support for radicalization. This study examines the relationship between perceived discrimination and support for violent extremism among youth and young adults in Belgium. METHODS: A total of 2037 young adults between the ages of 16 and 30 participated in the study. We used multivariate linear regression to determine the association between sociodemographic characteristics, experiences of perceived discrimination, and scores on the Radical Intention Scale (RIS). RESULTS: Sex, religion, generation status, and language were associated with experiencing discrimination. Sex and language were associated with scores on the RIS. Discrimination based on language and political views was independently associated with scores on the RIS. Discrimination experienced during interactions with the police/justice system was also associated with RIS scores. CONCLUSIONS: Public health primary prevention programs and policies that target the relationship between discrimination and sympathy for violent radicalization need to be situated on micro- to macro-levels. Of primary importance is the development of partnerships between stakeholders in public health, legal, political, and educational sectors to develop strategies to diminish discrimination and promote positive civic engagement among youth.
Entities:
Keywords:
Belgium; Discrimination; Radicalization; Young adults
Authors: B Heidi Ellis; Saida M Abdi; Vanja Lazarevic; Matthew T White; Alisa K Lincoln; Jessica E Stern; John G Horgan Journal: Am J Orthopsychiatry Date: 2015-11-30
Authors: Rochelle L Frounfelker; Thomas Frissen; Diana Miconi; Jordan Lawson; Robert T Brennan; Leen d'Haenens; Cécile Rousseau Journal: Transcult Psychiatry Date: 2021-05-14