Interpersonal dependency, self‐esteem and depression in primary alcoholism

Abstract

This study was undertaken to clarify the relationship between alcoholism and depression by means of the personality traits interpersonal dependency and self-esteem. In a sample of 52 alcoholics that met Feighner's criteria for primary alcoholism, the subjects were assessed by means of the Zung Depression Self-rating Scale, the Hirschfeld Interpersonal Dependency Scale and the 23-item version of the Janis & Field Self-esteem Scale by Rimée & Leyens. By means of the score on the Zung scale the subjects were divided into depressive vs. non-depressive alcoholics. There were no intergroup differences in interpersonal dependency. However, the depressive alcoholics scored significantly lower on the self-esteem scale. The authors suggest that the level of self-esteem in alcoholics is a function of secondary depression, whereas the interpersonal dependency might be influenced by the pathological drinking pattern.

Effects of self‐esteem on state and trait components of interpersonal dependency and depression in the workplace

“…Self‐esteem is associated with depressive symptoms in a stress process (Brown, Andrews, Harris, Adler, & Bridge, 1986; Druley & Townsend, 1998; Kessler & McRae, 1982; Perlin, Liberman, Menaghan, & Mullan, 1981; Vrasti, Enasescu, Poelinca, & Apostol, 1988). If a person has a high self‐esteem as a trait, then he or she generally views stressful situations positively, lessening depressive symptoms, and vice versa (Rosenberg, 1962).…”