Gang Affiliation and Radicalization to Violent Extremism within Somali-American Communities

Approximately 40 young Somali-Americans are believed to have left the United States
to join al-Shabaab. Somali-American communities have also faced significant gang activity. To what degree are these two phenomena, radicalization to violent extremism and gang involvement, related? The overall goal of this project is to conduct in-depth analyses of risk and resiliency in relation to both gang affiliation and radicalization to violent extremism among
Somali youth resettled in North America.

Specific Aim 1: To understand how psychosocial and demographic factors relate to support for violent activism and gang affiliation. During Supplement Period 1, we will develop briefs for criminal justice and community audiences related to how known risk and protective factors relate to gang affiliation and support for violent activism among a general population of Somali youth resettled in North America. These briefs will be based upon analysis from Initial Period 1 of a pre-existing dataset (PI: Ellis)that includes longitudinal interview data on Somali youth in 5 communities in North America. In Supplement Period 2, we will develop and submit a manuscript based upon our Initial Period 1 analysis of qualitative in-depth interview data from a subset of participants from the above mentioned study as well as previously-collected focus group data.

Specific Aim 2: To understand the role of gang affiliation (or lack thereof) in the radicalization to violent extremism of Somali youth who left Minneapolis to join al-Shabaab through analysis of in-depth case studies. In Supplement Period 1, using a combination of open source data analysis, psychological autopsy and case analysis methodology we will develop and analyze the remaining 19 in-depth case studies of Somali youth who left Minneapolis to join al-Shabaab (total N for project = 23,males aged 22-30).

Specific Aim 3: Drawing on findings of the above specific aims, we will develop a theoretical model of the overlap and divergence of gang affiliation and radicalization to violent extremism
among Somali youth in the U.S. During Supplement Periods 1 and 2, findings will be integrated into a theoretical model
that will provide a road map for when and in relation to what gang prevention programs may be useful in countering violent extremism. Scholarly products will include: 4 manuscripts in journals relevant to criminal justice; 6 policy briefs; a database of in-depth case studies; interim and final reports. This project builds on partnerships between Boston Children’s Hospital,Somali communities, and Northeastern School of Criminology.

This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law.

nca/ncf

The overall goal of this project is to pursue the following aims:
Aim 1: To understand how adversity and social bonds relate to changes in openness to violent extremism over time.
Aim 2: To evaluate experience and perception of, and the effectiveness of, Countering violent Extremism (CVE) activities.
Aim 3: To evaluate mechanisms of change in violent extremism.
Aim 4: To understand similarities/ differences in experiences and/or histories of Somali youth who joined Al-Shabab vs. those known to have been killed in Syria, fighting with ISIS and other terrorist groups.

The above aims will be accomplished through extending an ongoing longitudinal research program to span 5 years, and expanding a psychological autopsy sample to include Somali youth who have left Minneapolis and been killed fighting with ISIS and other terrorist groups in Syria. Data collection for the longitudinal study will consist of conducting a fourth wave of structured interviews with Somali youth (between the ages of 21-33 at T4); interviews will include assessments of structural adversity (resettlement hardships, trauma exposure, and discrimination), social factors (connection to the resettlement community and/or Somali diaspora community, internet use, and level of acculturation) delinquency, gang involvement, civic engagement, and support for legal and illegal (violent) actions in support of political change. We will use latent transition analysis (LTA), generalized estimating equation modeling, and linear regression modeling to accomplish Aims 1-3. Aim 4 will be accomplished by using a combination of open source data analysis, psychological autopsy and case analysis methodology. We will expand our current in-depth case studies of Somali youth who left Minneapolis to join al-Shabaab (N = 23, males aged 22-30) to include those who joined ISIS or Al-Nusra (N=4, males aged 18-29). Research questions associated with Aim 4 will be analyzed using a psychological autopsy method of developing case histories. Case histories will be coded for themes and analyzed for convergence or divergence with case histories of youth who joined Al-Shabab. Scholarly products will include manuscripts in journals relevant to criminal justice, policy briefs, and interim and final reports. This project builds on partnerships between Boston Children’s Hospital, Somali communities, and Georgia State University.
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