Paper short abstract:

Most violent radicalization assessments have been developed among specialized populations. This paper is a transcultural investigation that questions the implicit assumptions and norms that inform instrument development, and the applicability of such assessments in the general population.

Paper long abstract:

Objective: Countering violent radicalization is a priority in many countries, prompting research that assesses attitudes and beliefs about violent radicalization in the general population. The majority of violent radicalization assessments have been developed among specialized populations, with limited investigation into the generalizability and cross-cultural applicability of measurement tools. A transcultural investigation raises questions about the implicit assumptions and norms that inform instrument development. This research examined the psychometric properties of the Sympathy for Violent Radicalization Scale (SyfoR), a measure developed for use with Pakistani and Bangladeshi immigrant groups in the UK, in two convenience samples of youth and young adults in North America and Western Europe.

Method: We investigated the factor structure, reliability, and construct validity of adapted versions of the SyfoR among convenience samples of youth and young adults living in Belgium (N=2014) and Quebec, Canada (N=1364) via on-line surveys administered to students engaged in secondary and post-secondary education.

Results: Results indicate that in both samples a reduced, 8-item version of the SyfoR has a 3-factor structure with good model fit statistics using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and good internal consistency reliability.

Conclusion: More studies are needed to assess the appropriateness of the SyfoR for use in diverse contexts and among diverse populations. The potential usefulness and harmfulness of measures of violent radicalization should balance the benefits of obtaining local data with the risks associated with pathologizing social dissent.