Using the Preparation Phase of the Multiphase Optimization Strategy to Design an Antiextremism Program in Bahrain:...

Area of Science:

• Adolescent Psychology
• Conflict Resolution Studies
• Educational Intervention

Background:

• Extremism poses risks to youth, including radicalization and trauma.
• Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to extremist ideologies.
• Bahrain developed D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program additions: 4 peaceful coexistence and 4 antiextremism lessons.

Purpose of the Study:

• Report on the preparation phase of the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST).
• Develop and pilot test peaceful coexistence and antiextremism programs for adolescents in Bahrain.
• Evaluate the initial efficacy of D.A.R.E. program interventions.

Main Methods:

• Developed conceptual models for intervention mediators and outcomes.
• Recruited 20 middle schools for pilot testing.
• Administered pre- and post-intervention surveys to 854 students (peaceful coexistence) and 495 students (antiextremism).
• Utilized 3-level statistical models to analyze student, classroom, and school data.

Main Results:

• Pilot testing demonstrated adequate reliability of survey measures.
• Peaceful coexistence lessons significantly improved 5 mediators (e.g., intolerance norms) and 3 proximal outcomes (e.g., empathy, tolerance beliefs).
• Antiextremism lessons significantly improved 3 mediators (e.g., resistance self-efficacy) and 1 proximal outcome (empathy).

Conclusions:

• An effective antiextremism program can protect youth from radicalization and promote peaceful coexistence.
• The preparation phase of MOST successfully developed models, identified intervention components, and pilot tested measures.
• Results will inform revisions for optimization trials to evaluate individual lesson efficacy.