Psychological Cruelty and the Experience of Alienation: Features of Psychological Defense and the Gap in Social Relationships - The Syrian Case as a Model

Abstract

This study addresses the psychological cruelty experienced by expatriates in the context of displacement, considering it a complex psychological defense mechanism used by individuals to cope with feelings of nostalgia and loss associated with separation from the homeland. The study also explores the psychological and social gap that forms between the expatriate and their acquaintances in their home country, which leads to exacerbated feelings of psychological distress and alienation. The research relied on a critical review of scientific literature in social and psychological fields, along with a qualitative analysis of the experiences of expatriates from diverse cultural backgrounds. The results showed that psychological cruelty, despite its protective role, contributes to deepening the social and psychological gap, thereby increasing the severity of psychological disorders. The study recommends developing psychological and social support programs that respect the specificity of the alienation experience and enhance communication between the expatriate and their homeland contacts, aiming to mitigate the effects of psychological cruelty and the social gap.