Development and Validation of Indigenous Violent Extremism Beliefs Scale (VEBS)

Abstract

The validation and implications of an indigenously developed Violent Extremism Beliefs Scale (VEBS) is presented. The aim of this study was to develop a tool which can assess violent extremist beliefs. The item pool was generated from case studies of violent extremist offenders who have undergone successful Deradicalization and rehabilitation as well as violent extremist offenders still undergoing this (Deradicalization and rehabilitation) process, interviews of psychologists and social workers working with the identified groups, previous literature, books and cases studies of individuals involved in militancy in Swat region of KPK (Pakistan). The population selected for the validation of scale consisted of inductees a) who were present at deradicalization centers (specifically Sabaoon) and those who were re-integrated from the center. 31 items scale was administered to the selected population. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a four factors structure for the scale, that is, i) religious violence and extremism, ii) extent of positive thinking, iii) power politics, iv) risk taking and impulsivity. Present scale has significant importance for Pakistan, and globally. Violent Extremism Beliefs Scale (VEBS) can serve as assessment tool in the regions where terrorism and extremism are devastating issues and vulnerablewhich demand PVEeffortsthereforescreening could identify the level of vulnerability and also serve to highlightthe facets of intervention for correctional services.

Development and validation of Risk Assessment Tool for Extremism (RATE) for young people in Pakistan.

“…However, this factor explained only 5% variance. Since there have been an overrated significance attributed to religious intolerance and political attitudes in literature mainly because in the past few decades, it has been observed that violence and extremism in the name of religion have been widely reported (Peracha et al, 2017). Moreover, it is also observed that most of the modern-day incidences of terrorist attacks are perpetrated by self-declared Muslims, or recent converts to Islam.…”

“…The expected correlations exist between Risk Assessment Tool for Extremism (RATE), Violent Extremism Beliefs Scale (VEBS; Peracha et al, 2017), Depression, Stress, and Anxiety Scale (DASS; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995). These indicate the convergent validity of RFES scale.…”

“…Our study thus aims to draw a larger sample from various cities of Pakistan so that a more representative measure can be established. We found another relevant scale developed in Pakistan (Peracha et al, 2017) labeled as Indigenous Violent Extremism Beliefs Scale (VEBS). However, authors have not provided any wider and comprehensive evidence of how they have generated items and most of their items are ambiguous, lack structure, and are incomplete.…”

“…VEBS. We used VEBS compromising of 31 items developed by Peracha et al (2017). It has four sub-scales including (a) Religious violence and extremism (α = .76), (b) Extent of positive thinking (α = .63), (c) Power politics (α =.38), and (d) Risk taking and impulsivity (α = .48).…”

Existential Anxiety and Ingroup Favoritism Leads to Promote Religious Extremism in Indonesia

“…Religious Extremism.The researcher adapted the Religious Power Violence and Extremism scale from the Violent Extremism Beliefs Scale (VEBS) [19]. The scale consists of four items with all favorable.…”