By María Elena Garassini
Talking about Venezuela’s transition to democracy almost automatically brings to mind the political, economic, and institutional challenges that this process will entail. However, there is an equally decisive—albeit less visible—dimension that will likewise condition the country’s real chances of recovery: the psychological and emotional dimension of Venezuelan society.
After more than two decades of sustained crisis, prolonged uncertainty, and deteriorating living conditions, Venezuelans will not only face the challenge of rebuilding institutions and reviving the economy, but also the challenge of emotionally transitioning from survival to reconstruction, both individually and collectively.
From a social psychology perspective, this process involves understanding the country’s current emotional state, identifying the psychosocial effects of the prolonged crisis that we as a society have been forced to endure, and anticipating the challenges that will arise in an eventual scenario of democratic change.
A resilient country, but emotionally overburdened
Historically, Venezuelans’ emotional identity has been marked by positive traits such as optimism, joy, sociability, solidarity, and a remarkable capacity for resilience in the face of adversity.
However, recent academic research conducted by various universities in the country suggests that, although these characteristics are still largely present in the population, they now coexist with a significant increase in negative emotions. For example, the Psico-Data 2024 study by the Andrés Bello Catholic University (UCAB) shows that emotions such as fear, anger, sadness, emotional distress, and anxiety are now much more present in the daily lives of Venezuelans.
This phenomenon does not imply a loss of emotional identity, but rather an emotional overload, the result of years of uncertainty, economic hardship, and profound life disruptions. In fact, one of the most significant factors in this process has been the migratory grief that millions of Venezuelans have been forced to endure: fragmented families, severed ties, and suspended life plans have left a collective emotional mark that is difficult to ignore.
Added to this is the wear and tear associated with the daily struggle to meet basic needs, which has reduced the psychic energy available for social life, enjoyment, and community participation. Many people have chosen, as a coping mechanism, to retreat into the immediate, limiting their expectations and reducing their emotional exposure in order to protect themselves.
There are two psychological phenomena that stand out in particular within the complexity of the Venezuelan case.
On the one hand, learned helplessness: a concept widely studied by psychologist Martin Seligman, which manifests itself when individual efforts do not produce predictable results. When planning, striving, or participating does not produce significant changes in everyday reality, people tend to give up. Mental energy is conserved to resolve urgent matters, but planning, organization, and long-term projection are abandoned. This state favors passivity, isolation, and a reduction in personal and collective initiative.
On the other hand, Venezuelans have also experienced the erosion of trust as a collective psychological phenomenon. Traditionally, Venezuela had been a society with relatively high levels of trust, both interpersonal and institutional. In contrast, today Venezuelans are characterized by a widespread distrust of institutions and of others (Psico-Data 2024, UCAB). This distrust limits cooperation, fragments the social fabric, and hinders any process of democratic reconstruction, which necessarily requires agreements, participation, and shared responsibility.
The challenge of transition: From survival to reconstruction
A democratic transition does not only involve political change; it also entails profound psychological change. Society must shift from survival mode—focused on resistance and adaptation—to reconstruction mode, which requires planning, responsibility, cooperation, and vision for the future.
In this context, research points to a key element of Venezuelans’ psychological well-being: their ability to associate, form groups, and build a sense of belonging. Extended families, community organizations, and educational, sports, and cultural associations have historically been spaces for emotional support and social advancement in the country.
Reactivating these spaces will be essential to reducing negative emotions such as fear, sadness, and anger, rebuilding interpersonal trust, and combating loneliness and isolation. Solving problems collectively is not only effective from a practical standpoint, but also therapeutic from a psychological standpoint.
Reconstruction also requires real economic security. Decent, well-paid, and socially recognized work is one of the main sources of self-esteem, a sense of efficacy, and confidence in the future, traits that will be essential in overcoming the patterns of learned helplessness and widespread mistrust that currently affect the psychological and emotional well-being of many Venezuelans. Without economic opportunities, any expectation of emotional stability will be severely limited.
On the other hand, hope also stands out as a central psychological strength in processes of social change such as the one Venezuela could experience. In positive psychology, hope is defined as a character trait linked to self-knowledge and transcendence, but it is essential to differentiate realistic hope from mystical illusion or unfounded confidence.
Realistic hope is built when people can link their efforts to concrete results. When there is a clear relationship between expectations, personal abilities, actions, and consequences, self-esteem, self-confidence, and the perception of control over one’s own life are strengthened, and in turn, there is also greater trust in others and in the environment.
On the contrary, hope that is disconnected from reality—based solely on abstract desires or promises—ends up eroding confidence and deepening frustration.In a democratic transition, creating conditions for citizens to experience tangible progress that allows them to strengthen their self-esteem and regain confidence in their abilities and those of others will be as important as the institutional changes themselves.
Emotional skills for a new stage
Research agrees that Venezuelans have high levels of resilience. However, this strength must be complemented by other key emotional skills that need to be strengthened:
- Trust, both interpersonal and institutional.
- Responsibility, understood as the willingness to comply with rules and accept consequences.
- Tolerance for frustration and perseverance, to deal with mistakes and gradual, prolonged processes.
- Solid self-esteem, based on the recognition of real abilities.
- Ability to cooperate, recognizing social interdependence in order to actively seek mechanisms for collaboration with others.
Additionally, Venezuelans’ ability to come together and form associations will also be a fundamental element in the transition, because it is a trait closely linked to our collective identity, our sense of life, and our sense of belonging. It is vital to rebuild the social fabric: to strengthen social, neighborhood, and trade organizations once again, and to promote collaborative work and mutual aid.
Association not only solves practical problems, but also counteracts fear, sadness, passivity, and isolation. Active participation, believing in groups, and allowing oneself to be helped will be fundamental steps in maintaining and improving collective mental health in the Venezuela of the future.
The role of the diaspora and young people
For Venezuelans abroad, the possibility of a country ready to welcome them back has a profound psychological impact. In many cases, returning home represents the chance to come to terms with migration, rebuild their identity, and regain a sense of belonging.
The desire to return depends on multiple factors: age, level of integration in the host country, family ties, and opportunities for development. But for those who have not managed to fully integrate and still face significant challenges abroad, rebuilding the country can mean an opportunity for deep emotional healing.
Young people, for their part, are also called upon to take a leading role in the transition, and to do so they will need to review their personal histories. For many, the challenge will be to work on impulsivity, build confidence in themselves and their environments, open up to intergenerational dialogue, and develop solidarity skills that transcend their own social circle.
In this regard, special attention should be paid to older adults, many of whom today face profound loneliness as a result of migration and very complex economic conditions. Family reunification of older adults with relatives returning to the country, as well as care for older adults who are alone, will be mental health priorities in the context of Venezuela’s transition.
In short, Venezuela’s recovery demands not only the active and collective participation of all Venezuelans, but also a deep understanding that the development of personal skills must go hand in hand with a commitment to the common good: understanding that our contribution cannot seek only individual prosperity, but the improvement of the country as a whole.
The reconstruction of Venezuela will not begin on the day political change occurs; it begins today, in the way citizens work through their emotions, strengthen trust, and regain the ability to project themselves into the future.
Resilience, solidarity, optimism, and joy remain part of the country’s psychological capital. Putting these strengths to work in the reconstruction effort will be as crucial as any structural reform, as will seeking mechanisms to create decent job opportunities and encourage gregarious and collaborative activity.
Restoring confidence—in ourselves, in others, and in institutions—is ultimately the psychological scaffolding essential for building a prosperous and healthy Venezuela, where participation and mutual aid will be the foundations of the new democracy.
