HomeAbstract of 7th-icrpconfPsychological Predictors of Religious Extremism: The Role of Political Instability in Radicalising Youth in Pakistan

Psychological Predictors of Religious Extremism: The Role of Political Instability in Radicalising Youth in Pakistan

  • Jun 3, 2026
  • Posted by:
  • Category: Abstract of 7th-icrpconf
No Comments


Abstract Book of the 7th International Conference on Research in Psychology

Year: 2026

[PDF]

Psychological Predictors of Religious Extremism: The Role of Political Instability in Radicalising Youth in Pakistan

Zain Ul Abidin Qureshi

ABSTRACT:

This study investigated the psychological and contextual predictors of radical intentions among Pakistani youth, with a particular focus on personality traits and perceived political instability. Drawing on an online sample of 175 participants aged 16–30, a cross-sectional design was employed using validated self-report measures, including the Big Five Inventory-10 (BFI-10), the Radicalism Intention Scale (RIS), and a custom-developed Sociopolitical Context Scale-Pakistan (SPCS-P). Hierarchical multiple regression revealed that neuroticism was the strongest positive predictor of radical intentions, while agreeableness demonstrated a weaker but significant negative association. Perceived sociopolitical instability emerged as a robust predictor of radical intentions, and critically, a significant interaction between neuroticism and instability indicated a moderation effect. Specifically, the association between neuroticism and radical intentions was stronger among individuals perceiving greater political threat. Additional analyses revealed sectarian differences, with Shia participants reporting higher radical intention scores than their Sunni counterparts. These findings highlight the complex interplay between dispositional vulnerability and external sociopolitical pressures in shaping ideological radicalisation. The study contributes novel data from a high-risk geopolitical context and suggests practical implications for youth-focused counter-radicalisation strategies, early screening, and tailored intervention. Limitations, such as reliance on self-report and the cross-sectional design, are acknowledged, alongside directions for future longitudinal and mixed-methods research.

Keywords: Moderation Analysis, Neuroticism, Political Instability, Radicalisation, Youth Psychology