Citation

Bourgeois-Guérin, Miconi D, Rousseau-Rizzi A, Rousseau C. Transcult. Psychiatry 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, McGill University, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/13634615211047438

PMID

34661488

Abstract

This article presents a preliminary evaluation of training sessions promoting a systemic approach to violent radicalization (VR) offered to first-line health and education professionals in Quebec. We describe the rationale and content for the training program, its general principles and implementation modalities. The mixed-method evaluation indicated that the participants felt the training increased their level of confidence in dealing with VR in their work. It appeared that training also shifted participants' attitudes significantly on four items with decreases: (1) worry about the extent of VR of young people in Quebec; (2) belief that VR should automatically be reported to the police; (3) thinking that Islam favors VR; and (4) assumption that enhanced security measures would have a deterrent effect on VR. The conclusion discusses the challenges associated with violent radicalization training programs, emphasizing the delicate ethical and political questions related to the provision of training on this socially divisive topic.

Language: en

Keywords

Education; prevention; health professionals; training program; violent radicalization