Youth Awareness of factors associated with religious extremism and its Impacts, and Prosing a group-work intervention to reinforce their awareness thereof

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate youth awareness of the factors associated with religious extremist and it impacts. A social survey methodology was used to collect data from respondents through a self-administered questionnaire designed for this study. A simple random sample was chosen from students (age 16-18 years) from Schools in Riyadh Area. Results showed that youth are well aware of the factors (causes) associated with religious extremism and its impact. They indicated that the Psychosocial factors were the leading causes of religious extremist followed by family and socialization. Results showed that extremism has detrimental impact on individuals and society, and it deplete national resources either human or material. The study proposed a group work program with youth utilizing its skills and techniques to foster awareness and resilience among young people to resist any antisocial behaviors. Also, the study recommends to activate the role of school social workers in this regard.