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Psychology in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago

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Psychology in Oceania and the Caribbean

Part of the book series: International and Cultural Psychology ((ICUP))

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Abstract

A brief overview is provided of the current state of psychology and attendant issues in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. After providing some basic tenets of positive psychology and developmental psychopathology, discussion turns to the sociohistorical experiences, sociodemographic characteristics, family dynamics, reproductive strategies, and socio-religious practices of the diverse ethnic groups in the two emerging democracies. Long histories of colonization and domination, slavery, and indentured servitude have resulted in the loss of cultural practices and the development of adaptive strategies by Indigenous, African Caribbean, Indo-Caribbean, and mixed-ethnic groups to cope with difficult circumstances and perfidy. Both countries have underdeveloped mental health systems, with Trinidad and Tobago farther ahead in terms of mental health facilities, mental health personnel, and the training of individuals in the psychological sciences at the tertiary level than Guyana. Whereas the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in psychology, the University of Guyana has a fledgling program that offers courses in psychology. High rates of suicides, substance misuse, and intimate partner violence remain major challenges in both countries. Suggestions are made for both countries to partner with professionals in the Caribbean diaspora in North America and Europe to address the psychological needs more adequately in both countries.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA

    Jaipaul L. Roopnarine

  2. Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Paramaribo, Suriname

    Jaipaul L. Roopnarine

  3. The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago

    Derek Chadee

  4. Nazareth College, Rochester, NY, USA

    Mark A. Primus

Authors
  1. Jaipaul L. Roopnarine
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  2. Derek Chadee
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  3. Mark A. Primus
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Correspondence to Jaipaul L. Roopnarine .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Walden University, Juneau, AK, USA

    Grant J. Rich

  2. Psychology Across Borders, Austin, TX, USA

    Neeta A. Ramkumar

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Roopnarine, J.L., Chadee, D., Primus, M.A. (2022). Psychology in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. In: Rich, G.J., Ramkumar, N.A. (eds) Psychology in Oceania and the Caribbean. International and Cultural Psychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-87763-7_18

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