Extending the Construct Validity of Dependency Among Conjugally Bereaved Adults

Abstract

The Relationship Profile Test is a widely used measure of dependency, detachment, and healthy dependency that has been examined in both clinical and nonclinical settings, though researchers have yet to validate this measure among conjugally bereaved adults. The present study examines the construct validity of a three-facet model of dependency-detachment by comparing relationships among self-report, semistructured interview-rated, and knowledgeable informantrated functioning among conjugally bereaved adults. Participants (N = 112) included bereaved adults (M = 51.1 years; SD = 9.7) who had experienced the loss of a spouse 1.5 to 3 years prior to taking part in this study. Findings indicate adequate psychometric properties and theoretically expected associations with various measures of wellness and health including satisfaction with life, coping flexibility, somatic complaints, and ego resiliency. Results draw attention to adaptive correlates of dependency, suggesting potentially beneficial mental health interventions.

Psychometric properties of the PACT Scale and relations with symptoms of PTSD.

“…Additionally, the current study examined the psychometric properties of the PACT scale; its convergent and discriminant validity were tested with a range of self-report measures. Results support previous research demonstrating that the PACT Scale is a valid and reliable indicator of the perceived ability to cope with trauma-related outcomes (Bonanno et al, 2011; Denckla et al, 2015; Hamama-Raz et al, 2012). As expected, all three PACT scores demonstrated convergent validity with measures of perceived stress, experiential avoidance, distress tolerance, self-compassion, and each DSM–IV–TR PTSD symptom cluster.…”

“…Because previous research has not yet examined the relationship between symptom clusters and PACT scores, specific hypotheses were not advanced in the current study regarding these relationships. In addition, the current study will seek to replicate and extend prior research (Bonanno et al, 2011; Denckla, Bornstein, Mancini, & Bonanno, 2015; Hamama-Raz, Perry, Pat-Horenczyk, Bar-Levav, & Stemmer, 2012) confirming the two-factor structure as well as convergent and discriminant validity of the PACT Scale. We expected the PACT scales to demonstrate convergent validity with perceived stress, psychological inflexibility, distress tolerance, self-compassion, perseverative thinking, and discriminant validity with positive and negative affect as well as fight, flight, and freeze responding.…”

Construct Validity of the Relationship Profile Test: Links With Measures of Psychopathology and Adult Attachment

“…The magnitude of the effect sizes also suggest these three constructs overlap with attachment, but are not isomorphic (see also Livesley, Schroeder, & Jackson, 1990). Attachment and interpersonal dependency are similar because both are related to interpersonal processes, but differ in that attachment styles are reinforced by a particular individual (attachment figure), whereas dependency-related behaviors result from cues and reinforcements from various people with whom the individual may interact apart from the similarity of that person to an internal representations of early caregivers (Bornstein et al, 1996; Denckla, Bornstein, Mancini, & Bonanno, 2014; Gewirtz, 1972). From a psychometric perspective, research shows that dependency and attachment are generally distinct from each other (Klohnen & John, 1998).…”

Intrapersonal dynamics of closeness versus distance: Qualities of the self‐concept distinguish destructive overdependence, dysfunctional detachment, and healthy dependency

“…Construct validity data for the DO, DD, and HD are compelling; scores on all three subscales show theoretically predicted relationships with indices of attachment, identity, relatedness, defense style, and affect regulation (Bornstein et al, 2002;Haggerty et al, 2010Haggerty et al, , 2016, and with measures of alexithymia, relational-interdependent self-construal, and overall satisfaction with life (Bornstein et al, Languirand, Geiselman, et al, 2003, 2009. RPT scores evidence expected patterns of gender differences and associations with measures of gender role (Bornstein et al, 2004) as well as expected correlations with other personality constructs (Denckla et al, 2011(Denckla et al, , 2015Gritti et al, 2022). Adequate internal consistency and acceptable levels of 3-year retest reliability have been reported (Bornstein & Huprich, 2006).…”

“…As expected, high DO scores are associated with difficulties in romantic relationships, whereas high HD scores are associated with better adjustment in this area (Natoli et al, 2021). Other investigations have documented links between DO, DD, and HD scores and need for approval (Bornstein, Languirand, Geiselman, et al, 2003), coping following bereavement (Denckla et al, 2011, 2015; Mancini et al, 2015), help‐seeking behavior (Ikeda & Isozaki, 2021), shame‐proneness (Tortoriello & Hart, 2019), physical health (Porcerelli et al, 2009), and qualities of the physician‐patient relationship (Porcerelli et al, 2015).…”