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                            Funding & Awards
 Gang Affiliation and Radicalization to Violent Extremism within Somali-American Communities
Note:
              This awardee has received supplemental funding. This award detail page includes information about both the original award and supplemental awards.
Award Information
Awardee
              Children''s Hospital Corporation
Award #
              2014-ZA-BX-0001
Funding Category
              Continuation
Location
                    Boston, MA
Awardee County
              Suffolk
Congressional District
              7
Status
              Closed
Funding First Awarded
              2014
Total funding (to date)
              $1,172,055
Original Solicitation
              NIJ FY 14 Research and Evaluation on Domestic Radicalization to Violent Extremism
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2014, $331,241)
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.  In year 1, using Structural Equation Modeling we will analyze 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. We will analyze a pre-existing dataset
(PI: Ellis) that includes longitudinal interview data on Somali youth in 5 communities in North America (Minneapolis, Boston, Lewiston/Portland ME, Toronto; N = 465, 291 male, 174 female, ages 18-30). Using a concurrent triangulation strategy, qualitative in-depth interview data from a
subset of participants from the above-mentioned study (N = 36) as well as previously-collected focus group data (N = 36 Somali males ages 18-25 who participated in 9 focus groups) will be analyzed.
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 year 1 and during the first 3.14 months of year 2, we will complete interviews related to this aim, and then using a combination of open source data analysis, psychological autopsy and case analysis methodology, we will develop 4 in-depth case studies of Somali youth who left
Minneapolis to join al-Shabaab (total N for year 2 = 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 year 1 and during the first 3.14 months of year 2, we will work on scholarly
products including the completion of 1 manuscript and preparation of the 2nd, the development of our first set of policy briefs, the development of a database of the in-depth case studies of Somali youth who left Minnesota to joined al-Shabaab, and an interim report.
ca/ncf
Supplemental Award 1 (Fiscal Year 2015, $463,910)
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
    Supplemental Award 2 (Fiscal Year 2016, $376,904)
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.
ca/ncf


  
Grant-Funded Publications
        
                      In North American Somali Communities, A Complex Mix of Factors Influence Gang Involvement, Violent Extremism
                  A Qualitative Examination of How Somali Young Adults Think About and Understand Violence in Their Communities
                  Gang Affiliation and Radicalization to Violent Extremism Within Somali-American Communities
                  Trauma, Trust in Government, and Social Connection: How Social Context Shapes Attitudes Related to the Use of Ideologically or Politically Motivated Violence

  
Date Created: September 15, 2014
    
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