Difference - is it hated or desired? Reflections on the totalitarian state of mind.

In an age of polarized political views and growing nationalism it is vital that the psychoanalytic profession offers its contribution. The author makes a link between early infant development and social and political behaviour. Psychoanalytic, Jungian and Relational ideas are explored. Starting from Freud and his theory of 'minor differences', a dichotomy between closeness and separateness is investigated. The writer argues that difference is at the centre of human identity and human development and explores why we struggle to accept it. The totalitarian political system is described as one that eliminates difference. A case study is offered as an illustration of a patient's struggle to move from a symbiotic, undifferentiated state towards object relating and individuation.

A l'âge des opinions politiques polarisées et du nationalisme croissant il est de toute importance que la profession psychanalytique apporte une contribution. L'auteur établit un lien entre le développement précoce du nourrisson et le comportement social et politique. Des idées Psychanalytiques, Jungiennes et Relationnelles sont étudiées. A partir de Freud et de sa théorie sur les 'petites différences', une dichotomie entre l'état d'être proche et l'état d'être séparé est examinée. L'auteur soutient que la Différence est au centre de l'identité et du développement humains. Le système politique totalitaire est décrit comme éliminant la différence. Une étude de cas est proposée en tant qu'illustration du combat d'un patient pour sortir d'un état symbiotique indifférencié et aller vers la relation d'objet et l'individuation.

En la era de perspectivas políticas polarizadas y nacionalismo creciente resulta vital que la profesión psicoanalítica ofrezca su contribución. La autora establece una relación entre el desarrollo temprano en la infancia y la conducta social y política. Se exploran las ideas psicoanalíticas, junguianas y relacionales. Comenzando por Freud y su teoría de las 'diferencias menores', se investiga la dicotomía entre cercanía y separación. La autora argumenta que la Diferencia se encuentra al centro de la identidad humana y del desarrollo humano. El sistema político totalitario es descripto como aquel que elimina las diferencias. Se ofrece el estudio de un caso para ilustrar la lucha de un paciente para moverse desde un estado simbiótico indiferenciado hacia la individuación y hacia una relación objetal.

A Cross-Sectional Study on Selected Correlates of High risk Sexual Behavior in Polish Migrants Resident in the United Kingdom.

Objective: To assess the correlates of the high risk sexual behaviors of Polish migrants in the United Kingdom (UK) after 2004, and to compare such behaviors before/after immigration. Methods: In 2013, a cross-sectional study was conducted through the use of a Computer-assisted web interviewing surveying technique with the use of a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Among 408 respondents (56.9% women), with a median age of 32 years, significantly more admitted to having unprotected sexual contact with a casual partner while in the UK (p < 0.0001) than while in Poland; more were engaged in sex after the use of recreational drugs and alcohol (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.001 respectively). Being a male was associated with greater odds of unprotected sex, sex after the use of alcohol, and having multiple partners. Being single and having only been a resident for a short time in the UK, presenting a lower self-esteem, were predictors of unprotected sex. A total of 19.6% of the respondents admitted to having been tested while in Poland, a lower (p < 0.0001) frequency than while in the UK (49.5%); this referred to both genders; 1.2% (95% CI: 0.79-2.83%) reported that they were HIV positive. Conclusions: Migration can create a vulnerability to STIs, especially for single male migrants with low self-esteem, staying in the UK for less than two years. The results point to strengthening strategies which help reduce high risk sexual behavior among Polish migrants, and to introduce interventions to promote an awareness of HIV sero-status.