Academic Journal
The Question of the Origin of Overrepresentation of Violence in the French West Indies: A Psychosocial Approach to Attachment Issues.
| Title: | The Question of the Origin of Overrepresentation of Violence in the French West Indies: A Psychosocial Approach to Attachment Issues. |
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| Authors: | Ogrizek A; Department of Children Psychiatry, Hospital of French Polynesia, Papeete, French Polynesia.; CESP-UVSQ, DevPsy, Paris, France., Felix A; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Martinique, Fort-de-France, Martinique. arthur.felixpro@gmail.com.; EPICLIV Research Unit, University of the French West Indies, Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe. arthur.felixpro@gmail.com. |
| Source: | Culture, medicine and psychiatry [Cult Med Psychiatry] 2026 Apr 29; Vol. 50 (2). Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Apr 29. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article; Letter |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Kluwer Academic Country of Publication: Netherlands NLM ID: 7707467 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1573-076X (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 0165005X NLM ISO Abbreviation: Cult Med Psychiatry Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: Dordrecht : Kluwer Academic Original Publication: Dordrecht, Boston, Reidel. |
| MeSH Terms: | Violence*/ethnology , Violence*/psychology , Enslavement*/ethnology , Object Attachment*, Martinique/ethnology ; Guadeloupe/ethnology ; Parent-Child Relations/ethnology ; Humans ; Adolescent ; Child |
| Abstract: | The French West Indies, particularly Martinique and Guadeloupe, are grappling with high rates of violence, particularly among youth, which might be deeply rooted in historical trauma from slavery. A significant portion of the population has experienced abuse and violence in early life, prompting researchers to explore the connection with attachment theory. The transatlantic slave trade tore families apart and disrupted the secure attachments that are essential for healthy emotional development. Children raised without stable caregivers often develop insecure attachment styles, which may have been passed down through generations. These unresolved attachment wounds often manifest as violence or self-destructive behavior. Without nurturing figures, both parental and societal, individuals may feel unworthy and angry. France, seen as the "abusive stepmother," failed to provide meaningful support after emancipation to replace lost parental figures. Consequently, the population oscillates between a desire for recognition and a fear of further rejection. This emotional paradox mirrors the turbulence of adolescence, where independence is both craved and feared. (© 2026. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.) |
| Competing Interests: | Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. Ethical Approval and Informed Consent: Since the study did not involve human subjects, neither consent nor approval from an Ethics Committee was required. |
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| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: African descent; Afro-Caribbean; Attachment issues; Violence |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260428 Date Completed: 20260716 Latest Revision: 20260716 |
| Update Code: | 20260716 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s11013-026-09991-2 |
| PMID: | 42050301 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1573-076X |
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| DOI: | 10.1007/s11013-026-09991-2 |