Research from various disciplines has highlighted the complex and drawn-out nature of individual exits from far-right extremist groups, and there is a growing academic interest in the processes of deradicalisation and disengagement from such groups. However, few researchers have explored the individual long-term consequences of group participation. This is despite the fact that former group members report high levels of stress, stigma, exhaustion, social isolation, and uncertainty regarding their identity after leaving. More knowledge about the long-term psychological consequences of group membership is therefore needed to improve efforts to counter violent extremism.
The discipline of psychology represents a relatively small proportion of the research within the field of extremism in general, and exits in particular. What is more, the body of psychology research on extremists has tended to apply a relatively narrow understanding of psychology, either by adopting a dichotomous approach to mental health (you are either ill or you are not), or by creating theories specific to the terrorist or extremist population. Both these orientations limit the value of the research they engender because they are premised on the idea that extremists are psychologically different from the general population. This thesis's overarching aim has therefore been to extend our psychological knowledge on exit processes from far-right extremist groups by applying well-established psychological theory that describes processes in the general population.
The study takes an interpretivist approach, regarding the findings as a co-creation between the research subjects and the researcher. To broaden our understanding of how extremist group exits are experienced, the thesis draws on three kinds of qualitative data: autobiographies, one-to-one interviews, and a focus group interview. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. The three articles comprising this thesis explore different aspects of the exit process, each employing unique theoretical frameworks and models. Article I uses social identity theory and self-categorisation theory to explore identity transformation(s) in an exit from far-right extremist groups. Article II uses a model from cognitive behaviour therapy to explain long-term psychological difficulties after leaving. Article III uses the good lives model from criminology to investigate group-related psychological rewards.
The main finding across the three articles is that it is possible to understand exits from far-right extremist groups plausibly and insightfully as instances of normal psychological processes. The thesis discusses how researchers on extremism should be aware that ‘othering’ members of extremist groups – seeing them as in some way essentially different from the majority population – as this can lead to fundamental attribution errors which overemphasise dispositional and/or personality-based explanations.
Another important empirical finding is that, similarly to membership in other groups, participation in extremist groups can be very rewarding. All three articles describe psychological rewards, including a prescriptive group-related identity (Article I), redirection of negative emotions, purpose, and being part of an ingroup (Article II), and belonging, empowerment, emotional intensity, and long-term psychological rewards (Article III). The loss of these rewards during the exit process strongly affects how the exit is experienced. Ideological conviction can also be understood as a reward due to its ability to offer simple and unambiguous explanations of complex issues. Ideology therefore distinguishes membership in extremist groups from membership of most other groups.
The findings of this dissertation can inform policymakers and countering violent extremism (CVE) efforts. The notion that group exits can fruitfully be considered as normal psychological processes might impact rehabilitation for the individual and anyone trying to help them in their reintegration process. Because the extremist group has provided members with psychological rewards that are lost during the exit process, CVE efforts should focus on helping individuals find socially acceptable ways to obtain rewards that are particularly important to them. This approach should enhance the formers’ mental health and reduce the risk of recidivism.