The False Relationship Between Radicalization, Violent Radicalization, and Mental Health
An Association that Increases Stigmatization and Hinders Prevention
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5538/2385-703X.2026.32.29Abstract
The possible relationship between mental health disorders and violent radicalization has sparked intense debate in both the scientific community and public opinion. This article analyzes the current state of knowledge from a critical perspective, reviewing the available empirical evidence and the main explanatory theoretical models. Data from systematic reviews and empirical studies consistently indicate that there is no general causal association between mental disorders and violent radicalization or terrorism. While certain profiles may present psychological vulnerabilities, radicalization emerges as a multifactorial process shaped by ideological, social, identity-related, and contextual factors. Furthermore, the implications of this false association for clinical practice, research, and public policy are examined, highlighting the risk of stigmatization and the inefficacy of prevention strategies focused exclusively on individual variables. Finally, the role of mental health nursing in the comprehensive management of this phenomenon is emphasized, particularly within secondary and tertiary prevention contexts.
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