radicalization
Definition
Radicalization refers to a process by which individuals come to adopt beliefs and engage in behaviors that deviate from societal norms regarding acceptable political goals and means, ranging from non-normative confrontational actions to violent extremism. Within-person increases in political distrust, powerlessness, and dissatisfaction with political institutions are associated with concurrent increases in radical political behavior, with effects more pronounced among adolescent boys than girls. Adverse childhood experiences, particularly household dysfunction and maltreatment, appear at elevated rates in extremist populations compared to the general population, suggesting these early stressors may contribute to the radicalization process. Among certain samples, such as US right-wing extremists, up to 70% reported four or more ACEs, and involvement in terrorist violence was associated with an odds ratio of 2.08. Adolescence is identified as a developmentally sensitive period in which both political alienation and early adversity may shape trajectories toward radicalism.
Related Terms
- adolescence (1 shared article)
- political trust (1 shared article)
- radical political behavior (1 shared article)
- radicalism (1 shared article)
- political alienation (1 shared article)
- political powerlessness (1 shared article)
- political dissatisfaction (1 shared article)
- violent extremism (1 shared article)
- mental health (1 shared article)
- adverse childhood experiences (1 shared article)
- trauma (1 shared article)
Applications
Radicalization and Political Alienation
Political alienation, comprising political distrust, powerlessness, and dissatisfaction, is associated with radical political behavior across adolescence in a longitudinal five-wave panel study of Swedish youth aged 13 to 17. Political distrust accounted for the largest share of variance in radicalism (19%), followed by dissatisfaction (15%) and powerlessness (14%), and for political dissatisfaction a reciprocal relationship with radicalism was identified such that each reinforced the other over time.
Sources: Miklikowska & Besta (2026)
Radicalization and Adverse Childhood Experiences
Individuals engaged in or supporting extremist groups show higher prevalence of adverse childhood experiences than the general population, though not consistently higher than other comparison groups such as violent offenders or gang members. Continuation in education emerged as a potential protective factor moderating the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and violent extremism (p < 0.05).
Sources: Pammi et al. (2026)
Radicalization and Gender
The effects of political alienation on radical political behavior are consistently stronger for boys than girls, with gender significantly moderating the effects of distrust, powerlessness, and dissatisfaction. Violent forms of radicalism are also predominantly perpetrated by young men, and evidence suggests that gendered pathways into radicalization begin during adolescence.
Sources: Miklikowska & Besta (2026)
