Digital media use, depressive symptoms and support for violent radicalization among young Canadians: A Latent Class Analysis

Abstract

Abstract Background. Despite the prominent role that digital media play in the lives and mental health of young people as well as in violent radicalization (VR) processes, empirical research aimed to investigate the association between Internet use, depressive symptoms and support for VR among young people is scant. We adopt a person-centered approach to investigate patterns of digital media use and their association with depressive symptoms and support for VR. Methods. A sample of 2,324 Canadian young people (Mage = 30.10; SDage = 5.44 ; 59% women) responded to an online questionnaire. We use latent class analysis to identify patterns of digital media use and linear regression to estimate the associations between class membership, depressive symptoms and support for VR. Results. We identified three classes of individuals in regards to digital media use, named Personal sphere/Low Trust, Social conformity/Institutional Trust, Online Community/Undifferentiated Trust. Linear regression indicated that individuals in the Online Community/Undifferentiated Trust class were at greater risk, whereas individuals in the Social conformity/Institutional Trust class were at lower risk of both depression and supporting VR compared to individuals in the Personal sphere/Low Trust. Conclusions. It is essential to tailor prevention and intervention efforts to mitigate risks of VR to the specific needs and experiences of different groups in society, within a socio-ecological perspective. Prevention should consider both strengths and risks of digital media use and simulteaneously target both online and offline experiences and networks, with a focus on the relational/emotional components of Internet use.