Understanding sovereign citizen worldviews: Risk factors and background characteristics in an Australian population sample

The sovereign citizen movement has attracted increasing attention due to its growth and links to anti-government sentiment and, at times, violence. Despite this, limited empirical research has examined the risk factors underlying these beliefs. Using survey data from 1,595 Australian adults, this study provides a population-level analysis of the correlates of sovereign citizen ideology. Approximately 27% of respondents agreed with statements that align with sovereign citizen beliefs. Descriptive findings indicated that adherents of these beliefs were more likely to report lower education, financial strain, an abusive upbringing, and criminal history. However, multivariate analyses showed that personality and ideological/attitudinal factors – particularly trait reactance, conspiracy mentality, perceived government illegitimacy, perceived restrictions on freedom, and legal cynicism – were more strongly associated with endorsement of the sovereign citizen worldview statements than demographic or criminogenic factors. While the data are cross-sectional, the results suggest a possible mediation process in which background characteristics may shape beliefs indirectly through ideological orientations. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of both contextual and psychological factors, with implications for law enforcement and counter-extremism strategies aimed at preventing and responding to this problematic ideology.