Social Interactions and Disapproval of Threats and Violence: When Family, Friends, and Community Organizations Serve as Protective Factors
When asked where radicalization could be addressed most effectively, nearly a quarter of Americans in a national survey we fielded through YouGov in May 2023 (N=2000) named the family. Survey results suggest good family relationships appear to be a meaningful protective factor against radicalization to violence. We find clear evidence that maintaining ties with extended family and having a strong family support system in the community are associated with heightened disapproval of ideological and partisan violence, as well as greater levels of disapproval of threats against elected officials. Yet, providing more resources for families to address radicalization may be helpful in strengthening this relationship.
Those with recent social interactions have higher disapproval of threats and violence compared to those who have been socially isolated. Compared to communicating with family, communicating recently with friends has similar relationships with increased disapproval of political threats and violence.
Even recent attendance at a social event is associated with greater disapproval of violence compared to those who have not attended a social event in the last year. Many have written about the damaging impact of a weakening of social ties on American society (see, e.g. Putnam 2000). Our survey suggests that the rise in support for threats and violence may be another negative impact of weakened social ties. Working to rebuild these ties at the individual and community level may help boost community resilience to radicalization to violence.
Certain types of community organizations can also help boost community resilience. We asked people whether their community, defined in the survey as the county in which they lived, had adequate access to organizations that use nonviolent belief systems to resolve problems.
Disapproval of threats and violence was 15 to 20 points higher among those who agreed or strongly agreed that their community has adequate access to organizations that use nonviolent belief systems to resolve problems compared to those who disagreed or strongly disagreed that their community has adequate access to such organizations. Yet, only 55.4 percent of those surveyed reported that their community had adequate access to organizations that use nonviolent belief systems to resolve problems. Forming more of these organizations, increasing support to existing organizations, and increasing the visibility of these organizations may help reduce support for threats and violence.
Those who participated recently in community organizations have similar levels of disapproval of violence and threats as those who have not participated in community organizations in the last 12 months. However, disapproval of threats and violence is significantly lower among those who report they have never participated in a community organization.
While further research is needed, we suspect that the type of organization matters. While we did not collect information on the types of community organizations in which individuals had participated, data on gang activity provides strong support for the idea that the type of organization matters. Participation in organizations with violent belief systems, such as gangs, is associated with heightened levels of support for threats and violence.
Community resilience to radicalization to violence can be fostered through fostering social interactions, but only when these ties do not encourage violence.
The research presented here is part of a larger project funded by the Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (opportunity number DHS-22-TTP-132-00-01). Analysis and opinions are those of the authors. All percentages are calculated with survey weights.