Violent radicalization in young people: a systematic review of risk factors, protective factors and prevention strategies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24310/bc.33.2026.23102Keywords:
violent radicalization, youth, migrants, risk factorsAbstract
Violent radicalization has become a phenomenon of increasing social relevance, particularly among young people. This article examines the process through a systematic review of the literature with the aim of identifying the factors that heighten vulnerability among youth, including those with a migrant background, and of providing a solid theoretical foundation for the development of preventive strategies. The review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and covered three databases (Dialnet, Scopus and Web of Science) between November 2024 and January 2025. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 229 articles were selected. The findings reveal the absence of a single radicalization profile, a clear consensus regarding several key risk factors and the vulnerability of certain youth subgroups. The study also highlights the relevance of implementing early preventive strategies focused on strengthening protective factors.
Downloads
References
Abbas, Tahir. (2021): “El alcance y los límites de la lucha contra el extremismo violento en el Reino Unido”, en Revista CIDOB d’Afers Internacionals, 128.
Abbas, Tahir. (2024): “Conceptualising the waves of Islamist radicalisation in the UK”, en Journal of Contemporary European Studies, 32(3).
Adebayo, Gabriel O. (2021): “Counter-radicalization policies and policing in education: Making a case for human security in Europe”, en Heliyon, 7(2).
Azqueta, Arantxa; Merino Arribas, María Adoración. (2023): “Discourse Analysis of Policies to Prevent Violent Radicalization in Ten European Countries and their Impact on Educational Systems”, en International and Multidisciplinary Journal of Social Sciences, 12(1).
Badurbeen, Fathima A.; Ndenyelle, Wilson O. (2024): “‘You’re in or You’re out’: Ethos of Change in the Lives of De-radicalized Youth in the Kenyan Urban Margins”, en The African Review, 52(3).
Barracosa, Steven; March, James. (2022): “Dealing With Radicalised Youth Offenders: The Development and Implementation of a Youth-Specific Framework”, en Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12.
Beelmann, Andreas. (2020): “A social-developmental model of radicalization: A systematic integration of existing theories and empirical research”, en International Journal of Conflict and Violence, 14(1).
Benítez-Castro, Miguel-Ángel; Hidalgo-Tenorio, Encarnación; Patterson, Katherine J.; Moyano, Manuel; González, Irene. (2024): “They were not radical, even when they committed that: An appraisal-driven discourse analysis of feelings and attitudes towards the 17-A terrorist cell in Barcelona”, en Journal of Language Aggression and Conflict, 12(2).
Cano Paños, Miguel Á. (2011): “Reflexiones y experiencias desde las entrañas del yihadismo militante: Análisis de la autobiografía de Eric Breininger”, en UNISCI Discussion Papers.
Cardeli, Emma; Sideridis, Georgios; Lincoln, Alisa K.; Abdi, Saida M.; Ellis, B. Heidi. (2020): “Social bonds in the diaspora: The application of social control theory to Somali refugee young adults in resettlement”, en Psychology of Violence, 10(1).
Carthy, Sarah L.; Schuurman, Bart. (2024): “Adverse childhood experiences, education, and involvement in terrorist violence: Examining mediation and moderation”, en Journal of School Psychology, 106.
Cook, Joana. (2023): “Distinguishing Children From ISIS-Affiliated Families in Iraq and Their Unique Barriers for Rehabilitation and Reintegration”, en Perspectives on Terrorism, 17(3).
Cook, Joana; Schneider, Lynn. (2024): “The life of children in families affiliated with terrorism: An ecological systems theory approach”, en Critical Studies on Terrorism, 17(2).
Ruiz Díaz, Lucas J. (2021): “Entre apoyo a la integración y prevención de la radicalización. Una mirada crítica al plan de acción de integración e inclusión de la Unión Europea”, en Revista Española de Derecho Internacional, 73(2).
Ebers, Axel; Thomsen, Stephan L. (2022): “Evaluating an Interactive Film on the Prevention of Political Radicalization”, en Journal for Deradicalization, 30.
Ellis, B. Heidi; Miller, Alisa B.; Schouten, Ronald; Agalab, Naima Y.; Abdi, Saida M. (2020): “The Challenge and Promise of a Multidisciplinary Team Response to the Problem of Violent Radicalization”, en Terrorism and Political Violence.
Eltayeb, Shala; Abbas, Wijdan; Masmoudi, Slim; Jefferies, Philip; Alsafrani, Mahmoud. (2022): “Resilience to Violent Extremism: Validation of the Arabic BRAVE Measure”, en Journal for Deradicalization, 32.
Euer, Katrin; Van Vossolle, Anke; Groenen, Anne; Van Bouchaute, Karel. (2020): “Estrategia de prevención de la radicalización violenta de los jóvenes”, en Políticas Sociales en Europa, 45.
Gerrand, Vivian. (2022): “Communicative channels for pro-social resilience in an age of polarization”, en First Monday, 27(5).
Ghosh, Ratna. (2018): “The potential of the ERC program for combating violent extremism among youth”, en Religion and Education, 45(3).
González, Irene; Moyano, Manuel; Lobato, Roberto M.; Trujillo, Humberto M. (2022): “Evidence of Psychological Manipulation in the Process of Violent Radicalization: An Investigation of the 17-A Cell”, en Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13.
Harpviken, Anna Naterstad. (2021): “Psychological vulnerabilities and extremism among Norwegian youth: A structural equation model using a large-n sample”, en Peace and Conflict, 27(2).
Haugstvedt, Håvard; SJØEN, Martin M. (2021): “Exploring Youths’ Willingness to Engage with Civil Society and Public Sector Institutions: The Untapped Potential of Religious Communities in Preventing Violent Extremism”, en Democracy and Security, 17(4).
Holguín Polo, Julián. (2014): “Indicadores transversales en el proceso de radicalización de la segunda generación de inmigrantes de procedencia musulmana en España”, en RDUNED. Revista de Derecho UNED, 15.
Isenhardt, Anna; Kamenowski, Maria; Manzoni, Patrik; Haymoz, Sandrine; Jacot, Cédric y Baier, Dirk. (2021): “Identity Diffusion and Extremist Attitudes in Adolescence”, en Frontiers in Psychology, 12.
Jahnke, Sara; Abad Borger, Katharina; Burgsmüller, Lena; Hoppe, Catalina y Beelmann, Andreas. (2023): “A Meta-Analysis on the Link Between Young People’s Social Environment, Socioeconomic Status, and Political Violence Outcomes”, en International Journal of Developmental Sciences, 17(1–3).
Leonov, Vladimir V.; Zhukova, Galina S.; Boykova, Galina V.; Ivlev, Vitaly Y. (2021): “Youth Policy and the Development of Quality Education as Factors in Reducing the Level of Radicalization in Society”, en Propósitos y Representaciones, 9(Extra-2).
Ljamai, Abdelilah. (2020). “Feelings of anxiety among radical Muslim youths in the Netherlands: A psychological exploration”, en Archive for the Psychology of Religion, 42(3).
Lobato, Roberto M.; García-Coll, Josep; Martín-Criado, José M.; Moyano, Manuel.
(2023): “Impact of Psychological and Structural Factors on Radicalization Processes: A Multilevel Analysis From the 3N Model”, en Psychology of Violence, 13(6).
Lobato, Roberto M.; Moyano, Manuel; Bélanger, Jocelyn J.; Trujillo, Humberto M. (2021): “The role of vulnerable environments in support for homegrown terrorism: Fieldwork using the 3N model”, en Aggressive Behavior, 47(1).
León, Almudena Macías; Cosano Rivas, Francisco; Durán Durán, M. Auxiliadora. (2022): “Radicalización en Jóvenes Inmigrantes: Análisis de la Influencia Diferencial de Factores Psicosociales”, en RIMCIS: Revista Internacional y Multidisciplinar en Ciencias Sociales, 11(2).
Maraj, Arianne; Mahmut, Dilmurat; Ghosh, Ratna. (2021): “What role do French society and its education system play in promoting violent radicalization processes?”, en Journal for Deradicalization, 27.
Miconi, Diana; Calcagni, Antonio; Mekki-Berrada, Abdelwahed; Rousseau, Cécile. (2021): “Are there Local Differences in Support for Violent Radicalization? A Study on College Students in Quebec”, en Political Psychology, 42(4).
Miconi, Diana; Njinguou Mounchingam, Aoudou; Zambelli, Michela; Rousseau, Cécile (2024): “Disentangling Support for Violent and Non-violent Radicalization among Adolescents”, en Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 53(9).
Miconi, Diana; Santavicca, Tara; Frounfelker, Rochelle L.; Rousseau, Cécile. (2023): “Preference for online social interactions and support for violent radicalization”, en American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 93(4).
Miklikowska, Marta; Jasko, Katarzyna; Kudrnac, Ales. (2023): “The Making of a Radical: The Role of Peer Harassment in Youth Political Radicalism”, en Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 49(3).
De Eulate, Iker Nabaskues Martínez. (2017): “Radicalización y desradicalización de jóvenes yihadistas en Francia”, en Inguruak: Revista Vasca de Sociología y Ciencia Política, 63.
Nivette, Amy; Echelmeier, Lea; Weerman, Frank; Eisner, Manuel; Ribeaud, Denis. (2022): “Understanding Changes in Violent Extremist Attitudes During the Transition to Early Adulthood”, en Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 38(4).
Nivette, Amy; Eisner, Manuel; Ribeaud, Denis. (2017): “Developmental Predictors of violent extremist attitudes: A test of general strain theory”, en Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 54(6).
Oruc, Nermin; Obradovic, Nikolina. (2020): “Drivers of radicalisation of youth in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, en Economic Research, 33(1).
Ozer, Simon; Bertelsen, Preben. (2019): “Countering radicalization: An empirical examination from a life psychological perspective”, en Peace and Conflict, 25(3).
Ozer, Simon; Obaidi, Milan; Schwartz, Seth J. (2023): “Radicalized Identity Styles: Investigating Sociocultural Challenges, Identity Styles, and Extremism”, en Self and Identity, 22(4).
Page, Matthew J. et al. (2021): “Declaración PRISMA 2020: una guía actualizada para la publicación de revisiones sistemáticas”, en Revista Española de Cardiología, 74(9).
Pearson, Elizabeth; Winterbotram, Emily. (2017): “Women, gender and daesh radicalisation. A Milieu Approach”, en RUSI Journal, 162(3).
Peracha, Feriha; Savage, Sara; Khan, Raafia; Ayub, Asma; Zahra, Andleeb. (2022): “Promoting Cognitive Complexity Among Violent Extremist Youth in Northen Pakistan”, en. Journal of Strategic Security, 15(1).
Re, Matteo. (2018): “El proceso de radicalización violenta hacia la lucha armada en Italia de la extrema izquierda a la militancia terrorista”, en. Scio, 14.
Reinare, Fernando; Vicente, Álvaro. (2023): “When Terrorist Disengagement Processes Are Consistent with Previous Violent Radicalization: Two Case Studies”, en Journal for Deradicalization, 37.
Schills, Nele; Verhage, Antoinette. (2017): “Understanding how and why young people enter radical or violent extremist group”, en International Journal of Conflict and Violence, 11.
Sieckelinck, Stijn; Sikkens, Elga; Van San, Marion; Kotnis, Sita; De Winter, Micha. (2019): “Transitional journeys into and out of extremism. A biographical approach”, en Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, 42(7).
Simi, Pete; Sporer, Karyn; Bubolz, Bryan F. (2016): “Narratives of Childhood Adversity and Adolescent Misconduct as Precursors to Violent Extremism: A Life-Course Criminological Approach”, en Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 53(4).
Thomash, Paul. (2016): “Youth, terrorism and education: Britain’s Prevent programme”, en International Journal of Lifelong Education, 35(2).
Vallinkoski, Katja; Benjamin, Saija; Elliott, Kathlyn. (2022): “”By correcting disinformation and encouraging them towards tolerance” - Finnish educators’ considerations of PVE-E”, en Journal for Deradicalization, 33.
Van Bergen, Diana D.; Ersanilli, Evelyn F.; PelS, Trees V. M.; De Ruyter, Doret J. (2016): “Turkish-Dutch youths’ attitude toward violence for defending the in-group: What role does perceived parenting play?”, en Peace and Conflict, 22(2).
Van Brunt, Brian; Murphy, Amy; Zedginidze, Ann. (2017): “An exploration of the risk, protective, and mobilization factors related to violent extremism in college populations”, en Violence and Gender, 4(3).
Vicente, Álvaro. (2021): “Vínculos sociales y terrorismo yihadista:¿ qué conduce de la radicalización violenta a la implicación terrorista”, en Análisis del Real Instituto Elcano, 39.
Vukovič, Siniša y Boland, India. (2022): “Expanding the Radicalization Framework: A Case Study of Tajik Migration to Russia”, en Asian Perspective, 46(3).
Yu, Lu; Gu, Mingyue; Chan, Ko Ling. (2023): “Hong Kong Adolescents’ Participation in Political Activities: Correlates of Violent Political Participation”, en Applied Research in Quality of Life, 18(3).
Yusof, Norhafezah; Kaur, Amrita; Mohd Sani, Mohd Azizuddin; Awang Hashim, Rosnah. (2019): “A qualitative expert interview approach towards understanding religious extremism among Malaysian youth”, en Qualitative Report, 24(7).
Downloads
Published
Dimensions
Citations
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Boletín Criminológico
Con la aceptación de este aviso el/los autor/es declara/n:
- Que el artículo se deriva de una investigación propia, que no ha sido publicado en el mismo formato que se presenta y que no está siendo objeto de postulación para su publicación en otra revista simultáneamente y con el mismo formato.
- Que acepta/n someter a evaluación el artículo, y a proceder en el término establecido a las correcciones que se indiquen, como condición para su publicación.
- Que existe conformidad con la política editorial de la revista Boletín Criminológico en lo relativo a la difusión de sus contenidos por correo electrónico en el formato pdf, y a través de su página web y de los directorios de revistas en los que está indizada .
- Que a tal efecto, por la presente el/los autor/es cede/n los derechos de difusión y reproducción del artículo presentado al Boletín Criminológico para todas las ediciones de la revista.
La revista se publica bajo el sistema de licencias Creative Commons según la modalidad «Reconocimiento – NoComercial (by-nc): Se permite la generación de obras derivadas siempre que no se haga un uso comercial. Tampoco se puede utilizar la obra original con finalidades comerciales». La revista se publica y se gestiona mediante el software Open Journal Systems.
3.png)
