Understanding Changes in Violent Extremist Attitudes During the Transition to Early Adulthood

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Criminology
• Sociology

Background:

• The transition to early adulthood is a critical developmental period.
• This life stage may increase vulnerability to radicalization or foster maturation and prosocial bonds.
• Longitudinal data on violent extremist attitudes during this period are scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explain changes in support for violent extremism during the transition to early adulthood.
• To investigate factors influencing violent extremist attitudes between and within individuals.
• To analyze attitude stability and change from age 17 to 20.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal cohort study in Zürich, Switzerland (n=910).
• Assessment of violent extremist attitudes using the Reliable Change Index.
• Hybrid regression techniques to identify explanatory factors.

Main Results:

• Violent extremist attitudes are predominantly stable or declining between late adolescence and early adulthood.
• Within-individual changes in low self-control, conflict coping skills, and peer disapproval of violence partially explain these attitude changes.
• Increased psychosocial maturity, prosocial peers, and reduced deviant behavior correlate with lower support for violent extremism.

Conclusions:

• The transition to adulthood is associated with decreased support for violent extremism.
• Interventions for criminal desistance and gang disengagement offer potential models for deradicalization programs.
• Fostering psychosocial maturity and prosocial development may reduce support for violent extremism.