Incels (involuntarily celibates) are an online community of men who feel disenfranchised because they are unable to find a romantic and sexual partner. Incels tend to blame society for placing too much value in physical appearance and for endowing women with too much power in mate selection, a grievance that sometimes translates into violent misogyny. Mass-casualty Incel attacks have led the security services in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. to classify Incels as a violent extremist threat. However, little empirical research is available to inform the understanding of Incels, or to qualify their potential danger to the public. Filling this gap, this study presents an important empirical datum by reaching beyond media headlines and online activity, to assess Incel ideology, mental health, and radical intentions through in-depth surveys of 274 active Incels. Most Incels in our study reported mental health problems and psychological trauma of bullying or persecution. Incel ideology was only weakly correlated with radicalization, and ideology and radicalization were differentially correlated with mental health measures. Most Incels in the study rejected violence. The discussion considers implications of these findings for detection, policing, and non-criminal interventions focused on the Incel community.

Incels (involuntarily celibates) are an online-based identity group of mostly males who feel disenfranchised because of what they see as an unfair advantage the society gives to muscular, confident males, taking away Incels’ chances of securing a sexual relationship. Several Incels have left behind ideological manifestos before carrying out acts of mass murder, alerting the public and security services to the danger Incels can present. Nonetheless, data about radicalization (defined as support for illegal or violent political action) of the larger Incel population remain scarce. This study aimed to expand this knowledge by conducting a survey of 54 self-identified Incels. Results demonstrated high rates of self-reported depression (91%), anxiety (85%), PTSD (40%), autism spectrum disorders (53%), and a history of bullying (91%). A new measure of radicalization specific to the Incel community (Incel Radicalization Scale) demonstrated high internal consistency and construct validity, making it a useful tool for identification and early prevention of radicalization among Incels. Radicalization was not correlated with Incel ideological commitment. A small proportion of respondents (17%) scored above the midpoint on Incel Radicalization Scale, demonstrating high radicalization. Discussion focuses on implications for preventing and countering violent extremism efforts, including prioritizing mental health and trauma-informed care.