A systematic review investigated the role of family-related risk and protective factors in radicalization, an area where evidence remains fragmented despite the recognized importance of family contexts in antisocial behaviors. It also considered the potential impact of radicalization on families and the effectiveness of family-focused interventions.
Based on a comprehensive search of academic and gray literature, the review includes 33 quantitative studies examining family-related risk and protective factors for radicalization, covering data from more than 148,000 adolescents and adults across diverse geographic contexts. Meta-analyses were also conducted where possible, on factors such as parental ethnic socialization, extremist family members, family conflict, socioeconomic status, family size, and family commitment.
Results indicate that parental ethnic socialization, having extremist family members, and family conflict are aspects associated with higher levels of radicalization, while higher socioeconomic status, larger family size, and stronger family commitment are associated with lower levels of radicalization.
However, causal relationships could not be established, overall risk of bias was high, and no studies were identified on the impact of radicalization on families or on family-based interventions.
The authors conclude that, despite these limitations, policies and practices should aim to reduce family-related risk factors and strengthen protective factors. The urgent need for the design and evaluation of family-focused interventions is emphasized, as well as further research on the effects of radicalization on families and longitudinal studies on family-related risk and protective factors.
Learn more about this review here: https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1266
Reference
Zych, I., & Nasaescu, E. (2022). Is radicalization a family issue? A systematic review of family-related risk and protective factors, consequences, and interventions against radicalization. Campbell systematic reviews, 18(3), e1266