Protective factors against extremism and violent radicalization in youth: A multilevel meta-analysis

Abstract

Global concerns about radicalization highlight the need to identify factors protecting youth, which can help in more effective risk assessment and prevention. Most previous research focused on risk factors, but as radicalization is not a linear developmental process, protective factors are highly important. This meta-analysis summarized the overall impact of protective factors against extremism and violent radicalization in youth. In total, 41 studies were included, reporting on 49 independent samples (N = 55.563), yielding 194 effect sizes. Potentially protective factors were classified into 12 domains based on similarity. Results of multilevel meta-analyses demonstrated that six domains had a protective impact, including: school achievement (r = −0.21), female gender (r = −0.16), (pro)social behavior (r = −0.14), positive parental involvement (r = −0.13), procedural justice (r = −0.11), and positive intergroup contact (r = −0.10). Moderator analyses revealed differential effects, such that school achievement factors were more protective for right-wing and religious ideologies compared to left-wing ideologies or that positive life outlook factors were more protective in samples with more girls. The identified protective factors are useful for policies to promote positive development in youth to prevent adverse outcomes. More longitudinal research is needed to study direct or buffering protective effects. Pre-registration.