Social Support, Well-Being and Positive Psychological Resources as Protective Factors Against Radicalization in Haripur, Pakistan

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between perceived social support, psychological well-being, life satisfaction, self-esteem and coping balance with two indicators of radicalization namely attitudes of educational communities of Haripur, Pakistan. A cross-sectional survey design with 600 students (70.0%), teachers and administrative staff ranging between 18-50 years of age (M = 26.11, SD = 7.31) was employed. MSPSS, WHO-5, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and coping index were used as instruments to measure the resources, while Pro-violence and Illegal Acts in Relation to Extremism Scale (PIARES) and Extremism Scale were used to measure the outcomes. A Pearson correlation analysis and a hierarchical multiple regression analysis (with demographic characteristics entered first) were conducted. All the instruments had the internal consistency value of (α = .874 to .951). All of these resources had inverse associations with both outcomes (r = -.304 to -.378, p < .001). The strongest association with both outcomes was that of life satisfaction (β = -.166 and -.176), followed by coping balance, well-being and social support. There was a strong bivariate correlation which weakened when controlled for, but remained significant for PIARES (β = -.077, p = .040) and not for extremist attitudes (β = -.053, p = .170). The amount of variance explained by psychological variables was much greater than that explained by demographic variables. The results indicate the need to invest in the provision of ordinary and non-stigmatising student and staff welfare provision instead of investing in screening oriented to security.