Religious Fundamentalism and Radicalization Among Muslim Minority Youth in Europe

Abstract

Abstract. In Europe there are important concerns about fundamentalist religious beliefs among Muslim youth and “homegrown” radicalization that can lead to violent extremism. For these phenomena, different explanations are given, but there is very little systematic empirical research. Based on the existing conceptual, theoretical, and empirical literature and using a social psychological perspective, the current paper discusses religious fundamentalism and radicalization among Muslim minority youth in Europe. Specifically, feelings of uncertainty, perceived hostility, and perceived injustice are discussed as three important psychological factors involved in radicalization. Furthermore, the critical importance of intra- and intergroup processes and social networks is discussed. The review of the research is concluded by providing some directions and suggestions for future research and for prevention and intervention.

The Mediating Role of Multiple Group Identities in the Relations between Religious Discrimination and Muslim‐American Adolescents’ Adjustment

“…The media, policy‐makers, and researchers often characterize Muslim youth as being at particular risk for radicalization due to the challenges of negotiating their multiple social identities and heightened experiences of discrimination. However, evidence from national and global statistics indicates that most terror attacks in Western countries are not perpetuated by Muslim individuals (FBI, ; Institute for Economics and Peace, ) and empirical studies are urgently needed to examine these theoretical propositions (Verkuyten, ). Although the aim of our study was not to assess radicalization, our findings suggest that adolescents’ perceptions of religious discrimination increase their likelihood of externalizing problems that include violent and rule‐breaking.…”

“…These findings are consistent with recent theoretical conceptualizations that suggest that there is likely no single causal predetermining risk factor, such as discrimination, that puts adolescents directly at risk for radicalization. Instead, the radicalization process is conceptualized as unfolding in reaction to a combination of various stressors that accrue and interact within a sociocultural context to increase developing youths’ susceptibility to seeking a sense of belonging in radical groups (McCauley & Moskalenko, ; Verkuyten, ). Hence, the negative spotlight on Muslim adolescents in conversations of radicalization is a social justice concern because it reinforces anti‐Muslim sentiments that depict Muslim youth as threatening and dangerous, which in combination with other stressors could increase youth's susceptibility to externalizing problems.…”

Trauma and resilient functioning among Syrian refugee children

“…Although this study was conducted on Syrian adults in Turkey, it provides insight into the developmental processes of resilience in the case of Syrian refugee youth. In the literature, uncertainty about one's self, perceived exclusion, and injustice toward one's group are associated with the radicalization of the refugee youth (Verkuyten, 2018). Thus, developing a strong and positive ethnic identity can be an important protective factor for experiencing discrimination and related maladaptive functioning.…”

From social adversity to sympathy for violent radicalization: the role of depression, religiosity and social support

“…However, there is a paucity of studies investigating how discrimination and exposure to violence are linked to Sympathy for Violent Radicalization (SVR) in both majority and minority groups in the general population. Given the growing number of homegrown young men who embrace violent radicalization processes, as well as the present growth in the number of terrorist attacks, hate crimes and xenophobic incidents worldwide [14–16], the study of the social determinants of SVR represents a top priority in a public health perspective [7, 17]. Of importance, evidence on potential risks and protective factors able to buffer the negative consequences of social adversity on risk of SVR is warranted to inform prevention and intervention actions.…”

“…Another controversial variable which has been associated with violent radicalization is religiosity, which indicates how important one’s religion is for the self and one’s level of religious involvement in terms of frequency of attendance to organized and non-organized religious activities [23]. Although we witness on a daily basis a public rhetoric which associates religion, especially Islam, with violent radicalization [7, 16], empirical evidence in support of this relation is still lacking. On the contrary, religiosity is a documented protective factor in the relation between life stressors and delinquency in both majority and minority samples [24, 25], and preliminary evidence suggests it could also play a role in buffering the expected relation between social adversity and SVR [21, 26].…”