Increasing Cognitive Complexity and Meta-Awareness Among At-Risk Youth in Bosnia-Herzegovina In Order To Reduce Risk of Extremism and Interethnic Tension

This investigation sought to expand the theoretical and practical knowledge of intervention approaches to reduce the risk of interethnic violence and extremism in fragile contexts by leveraging increases in cognitive complexity and resilience among at-risk young Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats (n = 121, ages 16-33) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Low cognitive complexity, characterized by categorical thinking that does not recognize the validity of other viewpoints, is an important psychological predictor of violence in intergroup conflicts (Suedfeld et al., Looking back, looking forward: Perspectives on terrorism and responses to it, strategic multi-layer assessment, 2013). In collaboration with the International Organization of Migration (IOM), local experts, and community members, a multiday course was developed, piloted, and tested in ten ethnically representative towns and villages across BiH which aimed to enhance participants' cognitive complexity on contested social issues. To do this, the intervention used structured group activities and facilitator-led reflections to develop meta-awareness of thoughts and feelings when engaging with group dynamics. Pre- and posttesting over ten courses showed that, as hypothesized, cognitive complexity increased significantly by the end of the course (Cohen's d = .78, 95% CI [.53, 1.02]). Resilience and cognitive perspective-taking scores also increased significantly. Without a control group, causal inferences should be made cautiously and in concert with additional evidence. Follow-up monitoring deployed by the funding organization suggested continued benefits at 6 and 12 months after the course. Implications for broader prevention efforts are discussed. Public Significance Statement We present evidence from an intervention designed to develop cognitive and emotional skills among at-risk youth with the aim of reducing the risk of extremism and violence arising from interethnic tensions. Results from this field study in Bosnia and Herzegovina suggest increases in complex thinking, empathy, and resilience. Policymakers may be interested in the potential of such interventions to promote peace-building abilities among youth in fragile postconflict contexts.