Abstract
Background and objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate which risk factors contribute to radicalisation and possibly contribute to the individuals’ legitimisation to use violence (violent extremism). In particular, this study focuses on a sample of individuals that have experienced deep personal traumatisation. This leads to the following research question: ‘Which factors, known to increase the risk of radicalisation, are present in a population of a specialised GGZ institution (focused on diagnosing and the treatment of complex psychotrauma)?’ Methods: The dependent variable radicalisation is analysed according to ‘radicalisation indicators’ mentioned in scientific literature and discussed in the introduction of this study. Examples of indicators are; lack of future perspective, lack of social support, relative social isolation, feelings of worthlessness (due to discrimination and marginalisation), interpersonal problems, problems with attachment, lack of attachment to the Dutch society and feelings of injustice. Intake reports (N=90) of the specialised mental health institution throughout the entire year of 2017 have been carefully studied for the presence of these indicators. Results & Conclusion: The results reveal little evidence for the existence of a risk group of (violent) radicalisation within the studied sample. Only two significant associations were found between lack of attachment to Dutch society (due to feelings of marginalisation and discrimination) and other (high) risk indicators; having feelings of injustice, c2 (1) = 6.48, p < .05 and being unemployed (or doing unpaid work), c2 (1) = 3.99, p < .05.