In order to carry out a conservative test of the relationships proposed, the effect of a set of predictors that are conceptually related to political protest will be controlled. Based on the explanatory theories available in the literature it is possible to group the individual determinants of protest behaviour into four broad categories: nonconformity, individual resources and limitations, political attitudes and recruitment opportunities (Dalton, Van Sickle & Weldon, 2010; DiGrazia, 2014; Schussman & Soule, 2005). In the case of non-conformity with the performance of government and social problems, variables such as external political efficacy and negative emotions regarding the social and economic situation of the country are included. Individual limitations refer to those factors capable of increasing the cost and risks of participating in protest actions, which is why they act as restrictions on such behaviours. This category covers the sociodemographic characteristics and occupational situation of citizens. Likewise, the availability of material and cognitive resources is required to face the costs of political participation. For this point, the socioeconomic status variable is considered. Among the political attitudes consulted are internal political efficacy, interest in politics and political ideology. It includes the consumption of traditional media as a factor capable of altering the attitude of users towards protest movements (Boyle & Schmierbach, 2009). Finally, membership of political groups acts as an indicator of contact and exposure to recruitment efforts of political organizations or social movements.

4. Method

4.1. Sample and procedure

This research used data from a sample of 1520 participants based in the Metropolitan District of Quito (DMQ), Ecuador. Non-probabilistic sampling was carried out, however, quotas by gender and zonal administration were introduced to increase the representativeness of the population of Quito in demographic and geographical terms. The study involved 765 men (50.3%) and 755 women (49.7%). 55.7% of the sample reported ages 18 to 29 years, 25.7% from 30 to 44 years, 16.6% from 45 to 64 years and 2% from 65 years and up. The average age was 31.9 years (SD=13.0). The level of education of the participants was distributed as follows: 0.3% without formal instruction, 0.7% incomplete primary, 3.3% full primary, 5.4% incomplete secondary, 5.1% full secondary, 4.5% incomplete high school, 25.3% full high school, 30.7 incomplete university, 21.2% full university and 3.5% have postgraduate studies. Monthly household income was recorded on a scale with intervals ranging from “385 USD or less” (19.9%) up to “3474 USD or more” (2.8%), mode was in the “386 to 771 USD” segment (27.4%). The data comes from the Opinion and Political Participation General Survey developed and applied periodically by the Psychosocial Research Group of the Salesian Polytechnic University (GIPS-UPS). The collection of information took place between the months of June and July 2018 with the help of university students. Prior to the application of the instrument, participants were briefed on the confidentiality protocols and objectives of the study.