Assessing psychosocial vulnerability to violent extremism among youth: development and validation of the VEVAS
Aymen Ben Abbes, Nizar Fares, Haythem Hammoudi, Fethi GharianiPurpose
This study aims to develop and validate a structured assessment tool designed to identify psychosocial vulnerability associated with pathways towards violent extremism among youth. The instrument is intended to support practitioners working in prevention and intervention settings by providing a systematic framework for organising complex psychosocial information and guiding case formulation.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-method design was used. An initial pool of items was generated through a literature review and psychological interviews, followed by a pre-test study (n = 92) and expert evaluation. The refined instrument was administered to 350 participants. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to examine the dimensional structure, while reliability and construct validity were assessed using standard psychometric indicators.
Findings
The final instrument comprises 43 items structured into two subscales across eight dimensions. Results indicated acceptable model fit and satisfactory internal consistency. The findings of this study support the reliability and construct validity of the scale. Significant associations were also observed between vulnerability profiles and sociodemographic variables.
Research limitations/implications
The instrument is not designed to predict violent extremist behaviour but to support structured professional judgement. This study did not assess test–retest reliability or inter-rater reliability. Future research should examine these properties and explore the cross-cultural applicability of the instrument in different socio-political contexts.
Practical implications
The Violent Extremism Vulnerability Assessment Scale provides practitioners with a structured tool to assess psychosocial vulnerability and organise complex information in applied settings. This study may support psychologists, social workers and multidisciplinary teams in identifying vulnerability profiles, facilitating case discussions and guiding tailored intervention strategies in prevention programs.
Social implications
By improving the identification of psychosocial vulnerabilities, the tool may contribute to more effective prevention strategies targeting youth exposed to conditions associated with violent extremism, particularly in contexts characterised by social and structural inequalities.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study introduces one of the first psychometrically validated tools designed to assess vulnerability to violent extremism in a North African context. This study contributes to the field by translating multidimensional theoretical frameworks into a practical assessment instrument for use in applied settings.