Etude Psychanalytique Analytique Jungienne de l’Hypersexualisation Numérique en Milieu Urbain au Benin

Abstract

The phenomenon of digital hypersexualization constitutes a major challenge to mental health and identity alienation among urban youth in Africa. Our study focuses on the cities of Cotonou and Abomey-Calavi (Benin), where the massive penetration of social media confronts psychic structures with global sexual scripts.

The research adopted a mixed, descriptive, and analytical approach, utilizing a Trace Analysis methodology (Altmann, 1974; Roux, 1982) on a sample of N=200 observables and a survey of 141 young people (aged 12-20). The theoretical framework is anchored in Jungian analytical psychology and psychoanalysis to interpret Ego dissociation when faced with an overabundance of content.

The Results show a saturation of the media field by content focused on Performance and Body Fragmentation (57.0 % of observables) and Verbal Death Drive (Words Evoking Sexual Intercourse: 18.0 %), contrasting sharply with the marginalization of affective and relational content (Eros, 9.5 %). This prevalence leads to the adoption of non-conventional sexual behaviors (threesomes, partner-swapping) and the internalization of self-objectification mechanisms.

In Conclusion, digital hypersexualization in Benin is a powerful vector for Ego dissociation and sociocultural rupture. The adoption of these imported sexual scripts fragments cultural sexual identity and confirms the need for targeted psychoeducational interventions (Parental Guidance, Critical Media Education) to strengthen Self-integration and identity resilience.