Learning Trauma? Psychologization of the Camp Experience in the Greek Border Hotspots
Since the implementation of the hotspot logic in the EU, the public and scientific discussion has thus focused on the mental health problems and the “trauma” produced by the Greek hotspots’ conditions, characterized by harsh living conditions and daily exposure to diverse forms of violence. However,...
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| Vydáno v: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/e-migrinter, |
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| Hlavní autor: | |
| Médium: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Jazyk: | Anglais |
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e-Migrinter
2026
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| Témata: | |
| On-line přístup: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Shrnutí: | Since the implementation of the hotspot logic in the EU, the public and scientific discussion has thus focused on the mental health problems and the “trauma” produced by the Greek hotspots’ conditions, characterized by harsh living conditions and daily exposure to diverse forms of violence. However, experiencing trauma or having a mental illness and understanding that one is traumatized or learning when, how and why to present one’s self as traumatized are separate processes. This paper, based on two ethnographic research projects conducted in the Moria camp-Greece (2020-2021) and in Paris and Berlin, following refugees’ lives after the Greek/EU border camps (2021-2024), focuses on the psychologization of the camp experience. We argue that the institutional, legal and interactional frameworks and processes inherent in the Greek hotspots not only engender trauma but are also part of resocialization processes through which the hotspots’ residents, or camped, learn to present themselves to other actors within the camp through the lens of their mental illnesses. These psychologization processes persist and are reinforced in their post-camp lives. |
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