Bedingende Faktoren und entwicklungspsychologische Herausforderungen in Deradikalisierungsprozessen Heranwachsender

Determining Factors and Developmental Psychological Challenges in Deradicalisation Processes for Adolescents. This qualitative study investigates the psychological and social factors influencing individual deradicalization processes. The starting point were exemplary case reports from which potentially conditioning factors were extracted. These factors, which often resemble a "black box" in the deradicalization process, were thoroughly discussed in four moderated focus group discussions with N= 15 professionals from extremism prevention, exit counselling, correctional services, and constitutional protection. In collegial exchange, the experts reflected on key dynamics from their practice. The results highlight the high individuality and complexity of deradicalization trajectories, which are significantly shaped by developmental maturation, biographical experiences, and social contexts. Adolescence plays a particular role: extremist groups often compensate for deficits in identity development during this phase. Sustainable distancing processes usually require cognitive opening as well as experiences of disillusionment - such as the absence of expected gains through the extremist scene. Professional support, family involvement, and realistic future perspectives foster self-reflection and self-efficacy. Important implications arise for developmental psychologists and the work of child and adolescent psychiatrists: targeted promotion of developmental maturation and nuanced assessment of psychosocial burdens are essential to support sustainable deradicalization and reintegration processes. The study thus emphasizes the central role of developmentally informed expertise in multidisciplinary intervention approaches. Furthermore, the study points to the limited validity of existing evaluation tools and underscores the necessity for longterm, developmentally oriented interventions. The findings provide important impulses for the evidence-based advancement of deradicalization and reintegration practice.