Marie-France Hirigoyen

Paris - Salon du livre 2012 - Marie-France Hirigoyen - 001

Marie-France Hirigoyen (born 1949) is a French psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and psychotherapist known for her work in the field of psychological harassment and mobbing. She has written extensively on the subject, bringing attention to the psychological impact of abuse in personal and professional relationships. Her work has been influential in the study of narcissistic abuse and emotional abuse, contributing significantly to the understanding and recognition of these forms of harassment in various social and workplace environments.

Early Life and Education

Marie-France Hirigoyen was born in 1949. Details about her early life are sparse, but she pursued higher education in the fields of medicine and psychology. Hirigoyen became a qualified psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, dedicating her career to understanding the dynamics of interpersonal relationships and the mechanisms of psychological abuse.

Career

Throughout her career, Hirigoyen has focused on the subtle forms of psychological violence that can occur in both personal relationships and the workplace. She has been a pioneer in identifying and describing the tactics used by abusers to control and demean their victims, often without any physical violence. Her work has highlighted the importance of recognizing these behaviors as forms of abuse that can have severe psychological effects on victims.

One of her most notable contributions is her book Le Harcèlement Moral: la violence perverse au quotidien (translated into English as Stalking the Soul: Emotional Abuse and the Erosion of Identity), published in 1998. In this book, Hirigoyen delves into the concept of moral harassment (psychological harassment) and its impact on individuals' mental health and well-being. She describes how victims are often subjected to a slow process of emotional degradation, leading to a loss of self-esteem and identity.

Impact and Recognition

Marie-France Hirigoyen's work has had a significant impact on the recognition of psychological harassment as a serious issue. Her research and publications have contributed to the development of laws and workplace policies aimed at preventing and addressing psychological abuse. In France, her efforts have been instrumental in the legal recognition of moral harassment, leading to the enactment of laws that protect employees from such abuse.

Hirigoyen has also been involved in various professional organizations and has participated in numerous conferences and seminars, spreading awareness about the importance of addressing psychological violence. Her work continues to inspire research and advocacy in the field of psychological health and well-being.

Selected Publications

• Le Harcèlement Moral: la violence perverse au quotidien (1998)
• Other publications by Hirigoyen focus on related topics such as family dynamics, narcissism, and the psychological effects of abuse.

See Also

• Psychological abuse
• Narcissistic abuse
• Workplace harassment
• Emotional abuse