Right-Wing Extremism Among Adolescents in Lower Saxony. Results of Repeated Representative Surveys from 2013, 2015 and 2017.

A number of recent developments suggest that right-wing and right-wing extremist attitudes are becoming increasingly popular in public opinion, which is also reflected in an increase in the number of right-wing extremist motivated crimes. Based on this background, this study examines the temporal changes in right-wing attitudes and behaviour using extensive surveys of adolescents conducted in Lower Saxony in 2013, 2015 and 2017. In addition, various potential condition factors for right-wing crimes are examined and the significance of right-wing attitudes with regard to the risk of committing right-wing crimes is ultimately identified. In summary, it can be stated that right-wing extremist attitudes and crimes among youths are not a marginal phenomenon, but should rather be subject to strong social attention. Potential risk factors for right-wing crimes include objective deprivation, victimisation by parents or individuals with or without a migration background, affinity for violence, the search for risk and, ultimately, the adoption of right-wing attitudes. A high capacity for empathy is regarded as a possible protection factor. Contrary to theoretical expectations, the study shows that authoritarian attitudes are a potential protection factor and friendship with an individual with a migration background is a possible risk factor for right-wing crimes.