Understanding Violent Radicalization and Conspiracy Belief in Dutch Youth Aged 16–25: A Latent Profile Analysis

Abstract

Violent radicalization linked to conspiracy belief has gained increasing attention over the last few years, yet little is known about these dynamics in youth. In this study, a latent profile analysis was conducted to better understand violent radicalization in the context of conspiracy belief among youth aged 16–25. Participants were 2297 Dutch adolescents and emerging adults (Mage = 19.55, SDage = 2.75; 63.3% female). Six profiles were identified, varying in levels of violent radicalization and conspiracy belief. While the largest profile indicated low levels of both, two smaller profiles showed heightened violent radicalization, with differing conspiracy belief. Heightened radicalization profiles were generally younger, male, and more politically extreme, whereas vocational education was more prevalent in high conspiracy profiles. Overall, the findings highlight different manifestations of violent radicalization and conspiracy belief in middle to late adolescence and emerging adulthood and the importance of considering individual and broader contextual conditions.