Do autism spectrum disorders (ASD) increase the risk of terrorism engagement? A literature review of the research evidence, theory and interpretation, and a discussion reframing the research-practice debate

Q1 Social Sciences

Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism Pub Date : 2023-03-30 DOI:10.1080/18335330.2022.2158361

Fiona Druitt, Debra Smith, R. Spaaij, D. Kernot, Adriarne Laver

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

ABSTRACT A number of publications have recently suggested or claimed that autism spectrum disorders (ASD) do or may increase an individual’s risk of or vulnerability for terrorism engagement. In this paper, we aim to ascertain the extent and nature of this purported relationship between ASD and terrorism engagement as reported in peer-reviewed literature. We analyse the relevant literature by considering research designs and the importance of comparison groups in analytic studies for studying why outcomes occur. This review finds that the evidential and theoretical basis in research for the identified suggestions and claims is lacking. Existing research cannot definitively conclude, nor does it suggest, that individuals with ASD are any more vulnerable to, or any more at risk of, terrorism engagement than other individuals. The findings of this literature review pose questions that arise across the research-practice debate. We discuss and attempt to broaden the research-practice debate in relation to the ongoing ASD-terrorism debate by drawing upon critique from the field of science studies.

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自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）会增加参与恐怖主义的风险吗？研究证据、理论和解释的文献综述，以及重新构建研究实践辩论的讨论

摘要最近，许多出版物提出或声称自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）确实或可能增加个人参与恐怖主义的风险或脆弱性。在这篇论文中，我们旨在确定同行评审文献中报道的ASD与恐怖主义参与之间所谓关系的程度和性质。我们通过考虑研究设计和比较组在分析研究中对研究为什么会出现结果的重要性来分析相关文献。这篇综述发现，对所确定的建议和主张的研究缺乏证据和理论基础。现有的研究不能明确得出结论，也没有表明患有自闭症谱系障碍的人比其他人更容易受到恐怖主义的影响，或者更容易受到恐怖活动的威胁。这篇文献综述的发现提出了研究实践辩论中出现的问题。我们通过借鉴科学研究领域的批评，讨论并试图扩大与正在进行的ASD恐怖主义辩论有关的研究实践辩论。

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来源期刊

Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism Social Sciences-Law

CiteScore

2.00

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： The Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism (JPICT) is an international peer reviewed scholarly journal that acts as a forum for those around the world undertaking high quality research and practice in the areas of: Policing studies, Intelligence studies, Terrorism and counter terrorism studies; Cyber-policing, intelligence and terrorism. The Journal offers national, regional and international perspectives on current areas of scholarly and applied debate within these fields, while addressing the practical and theoretical issues and considerations that surround them. It aims to balance the discussion of practical realities with debates and research on relevant and significant theoretical issues. The Journal has the following major aims: To publish cutting-edge and contemporary research articles, reports and reviews on relevant topics; To publish articles that explore the interface between the areas of policing, intelligence and terrorism studies; To act as an international forum for exchange and discussion; To illustrate the nexus between theory and its practical applications and vice versa.