Les effets thérapeutiques des groupes de parole auprès d’enfants victimes de catastrophes naturelles en Haïti

Introduction

This article focuses on groupal traumatic experiences of children during natural disasters in Haiti. The group played a very important role for psychic survival of these children and even allowed them to dream a future. The objective of this study is to identify the functions of the group that helped a therapeutic effect for children.

Method

The study focused on a sample of 217 children and adolescents aged 6–18 years, encountered in schools and churches in different cities who were severely affected by the earthquake of 12 January 2010. In focus groups set up, the children were invited to discuss their families and events in their lives.

Results

The research results show that the work of the group mobilizes groups within each participant by providing a space where the container can put into words. The group offers a bracing and a space where the process of subjectivation and symbolization can be put in place.

Discussion

We have shown how the group welcomes trauma, how intersubjective links that are established mobilize intrapsychic scene and how the game is installed, allows figurability conflict and paves the way to a narrative. It is therefore important to maintain these discussion groups essential to allow subjects to enroll in continuity and historicity needed to pick up the thread of their stories.