The Dual Pathways Hypothesis of Incel Harm: A Model of Harmful Attitudes and Beliefs Among Involuntary Celibates

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Criminology

Background:

• Involuntary celibates (incels) are an online subculture expressing misogynistic hostility.
• Concerns exist regarding incels as a potential national security threat due to violence.
• Previous research indicates incel communities are associated with harmful attitudes and beliefs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the largest primary dataset of incel harmful attitudes and beliefs to date.
• To examine the predictive factors and pathways contributing to harmful attitudes within the incel subculture.
• To propose a dual pathways hypothesis for understanding incel-related harm.

Main Methods:

• A large-scale primary investigation (N=561) of incels from the USA and UK.
• Utilized a 3N (needs, networks, narratives) theoretical framework for pathway analysis.
• Assessed factors including mental health, ideology, networking, experiential vulnerabilities, and dispositional traits.

Main Results:

• Poor mental health and ideological adherence were stronger predictors of harmful attitudes than networking.
• A bidirectional relationship was observed between poor mental health and ideology.
• Identified two indirect pathways to harmful attitudes: one via experiential vulnerabilities and another via dispositional traits.

Conclusions:

• Interventions targeting mental health and ideology are likely more effective for incels than those focusing solely on online networks.
• The dual pathways hypothesis offers a framework for understanding the development of harmful attitudes in this population.
• Findings have implications for policymakers and professionals addressing online radicalization, extremism, and mental health challenges.