A new open-access study examines the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and violent extremism, analyzing how childhood trauma and adversity may contribute to radicalization processes.
Researchers conducted a scoping review of 23 studies involving 4,946 individuals associated with a range of extremist movements, including right-wing, left-wing, Islamist, white supremacist, and other extremist groups.
The review examined existing research on ACEs — stressful or potentially traumatic events occurring during childhood and adolescence — and their relationship to violent extremism. The researchers found that individuals involved in violent extremism reported higher rates of ACEs compared with general population rates.
The most commonly reported ACEs among individuals in the studies were related to household dysfunction, including factors such as caregiver loss, imprisonment, or substance abuse, followed by experiences of maltreatment, including emotional neglect and physical or sexual abuse.
The study found that some extremist populations reported significantly elevated levels of childhood adversity. However, researchers noted that ACEs do not lead exclusively to violent extremism and can be associated with a wide range of outcomes, a concept known as “multifinality.”
The review found that ACE rates among extremist populations were often higher than general population estimates, but they were not always higher than comparison groups such as violent offenders or gang members. Researchers also identified mixed findings among studies examining direct links between childhood adversity and extremist violence.
The authors said the findings highlight the need for trauma-informed prevention and intervention strategies while calling for additional longitudinal research to better understand developmental pathways and the complex relationship between childhood adversity and extremist involvement.
The research was conducted through a review of studies identified through databases including APA PsycINFO, ProQuest Social Science Premium Collection, PubMed, and Scopus. Researchers screened 847 records and evaluated included studies using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).
The study provides insights for psychologists, researchers, policymakers, and professionals working in violent extremism prevention by examining the factors that may contribute to radicalization and the importance of evidence-based approaches.
