Religious extremists target individuals who feel isolated, lack identity or community

TORONTO — Individuals who feel isolated or lack a sense of identity and community are at higher risk for involvement with religious or radical extremists groups that promise brotherhood and a sense of belonging.Study researcher David Brown, a medical student at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, and colleagues conducted a literature review of 11 articles to determine recruitment strategies of religious extremist groups, characteristics of individuals at risk for recruitment and how recruitment can be prevented or countered.