The Colonial Mentality Study

This qualitative research study is examining how Puerto Ricans in New York City make sense of their interpersonal relationships and how this relates to how they reflect on the colonial relationship between the U.S. and Puerto Rico, drawing on theories of colonial mentality as well as attachment.

  • Following Frantz Fanon’s work and ideas, Cristalis Capielo-Rosario and her colleagues (2019) describe colonial mentality as “a form of internalized oppression in which the colonized culture and society are considered inferior to the culture and society of the colonizer.”

    It explains how a historically marginalized, oppressed, or colonized community can come to see itself negatively while at the same time see the historically dominant culture more positively.

    When marginalized groups—such as Puerto Ricans on the island and the Diaspora—internalize a more negative view of their community, this makes them more vulnerable to higher levels of anxiety and depression, as well as reduced social support. Interpersonal relationships can also be impacted as a more negative view of self and others makes it more difficult to get the support and care we need to cope with everyday problems.

  • Attachment theory explains how we achieve closeness, security and intimacy with others in order to meet our needs. It also addresses the stories we tell ourselves about how other people think and feel, and also, how they think and feel about us, based on our early childhood experiences.

    We know from existing research that greater attachment security protects historically marginalized communities from internalized oppression. This makes sense as healthy and secure attachments lead to a healthier sense of self and identity. Poorer attachment relationships can make people more vulnerable to internalized oppression and negative outcomes.

What we are doing

Our team at Queens College is examining the relationship between attachment and colonial mentality among Puerto Rican adults in New York City, and how they influence their self concept, romantic relationships, and how they reflect on the relationship between the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

If we can better understand how individual psychology, ethnic and cultural identity, and socio-economic forces interact, we will be better able to identify recommendations for prevention, therapeutic intervention, and public policy.

A report on the main findings of our study was published in summer 2024 in:

Gaztambide, D. J., Escobar, E. V. M., Hernandez‐Vega, A., Purvis, T., Diaz, G., Julien, L., & Chen, X. (2024). ¿Pa ‘rriba o pa’bajo? Upward mobility, anti‐Blackness, and the independence question among Puerto Ricans in NYC: A decolonial psychoanalytic study. International Journal of Applied Psychoanalytic Studies, e1868.

We are currently working on a secondary analysis of our data to look at how attachment and romantic relationships inform how Puerto Ricans in New York City navigate their identity and self-reflection.

To further disseminate our findings to the public, we will partner with Puerto Rican artists and performers to “translate” our work into a digestible, narrative and experience-near format to generate discussion and reflection in the community.