The Dependent Personality and Interpersonal Problems

Abstract

At the core of the dependent personality disorder lies an excessive reliance on other people for support, direction, and nurturance. However, because of their interpersonal style, many patients high in dependency have difficulties establishing and maintaining close interpersonal relationships. The present study examined interpersonal problems related to the dependent personality disorder. The relationships between dependency and interpersonal problems were examined in 43 adult psychiatric inpatients and 66 nonpatient adults. All subjects were assessed for social functioning in terms of social behaviors typically displayed, density of their social networks, and subjective feelings of loneliness. Using correlations and multiple regression analyses, results showed that dependency was closely related to social behavior and quality of social networks for both psychiatric inpatients and nonpatient controls. Pearson correlations showed the dependent personality style was related to negative and disruptive interpersonal behaviors. Also, measures of social functioning were related to feelings of loneliness and depression. Finally, interpersonal dependency was strongly related to both depressive symptoms and depressive attitudes, especially in the psychiatric inpatients. The present findings demonstrate the importance of interpersonal dependency as related to interpersonal problems.

Relationships among loneliness, interpersonal dependency, and disordered eating in young adults

“…It is comprised of three underlying dimensions: emotional reliance on others, lack of social self-confidence, and assertion of autonomy. More recently, research has shown that degrees of interpersonal dependency tend to covary with emotional distress (Nietzel & Harris, 1990;Santor & Patterson, 2004) and like with other distressed emotional states, it may be possible that loneliness aggravates maladaptive social functioning in individuals exhibiting excessive dependency on others (Overholser, 1996). Individuals with dependent personalities may be at risk for other psychological disorders (Bornstein & Greenberg, 1991;Nietzel & Harris, 1990;Skodol, Gallagher, & Oldham, 1996;Vaillant, 1980).…”

“…However, to date, no study has measured the nature of relation among all three variables. Previous research suggests a shared relationship between loneliness and interpersonal dependency (Mahon, 1982;Overholser, 1996). Thus, it would be useful to determine what is unique and what is shared in their relationship with disordered eating.…”

Self-schema priming and desire for test performance feedback: Further evaluation of a cognitive/interactionist model of interpersonal dependency

“…In addition, it will be useful to integrate the C/I model with other extant frameworks. Although the psychodynamic, cognitive, and behavioral perspectives on dependency are limited in certain respects, each contributes to our understanding of the intra-and interpersonal dynamics of dependent personality traits (see Baltes, 1996;Bornstein, 1996;Overholser, 1996).…”

“…Notes 1. Although studies indicate that high levels of interpersonal dependency are associated with low self-esteem, and with high levels of need for approval, rejection sensitivity, and narcissism, the magnitudes of these relationships are generally modest, and suggest that dependency does not overlap unduly with these theoretically related traits (see Bornstein, 1992Bornstein, , 1993Bornstein, , 2005Overholser, 1996;and Pincus & Gurtman, 1995, for reviews of research in this area). 2.…”

Histrionic, Narcissistic, and Dependent Personality Disorders

“…A substantial number of studies has now confirmed that the dependent person's self-image as weak and ineffectual and the excessive need to please others contributes to a variety of interpersonal problems and maladaptive consequences (Bornstein, 1999;Overholser, 1996). Bornstein, Riggs, Hill, and Calabrese (1996), for example, demonstrated in a series of experiments how dependent persons might do whatever is necessary when competing with peers to please an authority figure, even if it means acting aggressively.…”