Demographic variables predicting ISIS and Daesh armed political violence

Abstract

This study recruited 30 members of ISIS and Daesh groups held in Kuwait’s Central Prison to understand the contribution of demographic data, rigidity, and behavioral change in predicting armed political violence. The results showed significant negative correlations between armed political violence and income, education, and behavioral change, and a positive correlation between armed political violence and rigidity. No significant correlation was found with regard to age, number of children, family size, or birth order. The overall multiple correlation coefficient revealed that 77% of the variance in armed political violence could be explained significantly by rigidity alone. Additionally, those who showed positive change in their behavior had scored significantly less armed political violence compared with those who showed no change. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings were discussed.