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Family stressors as predictors of codependency
1Department of Psychology, University of New Hampshire, Durham 03824, USA.
Genetic, Social, and General Psychology Monographs
|March 14, 2000
Summary
Chronic family stress, including parental illness, significantly predicts codependency in students. This research highlights that various family stressors, not just alcoholism, contribute to codependency development.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Family Studies
- Mental Health
Background:
- Codependency is characterized by an excessive focus on relationships, often stemming from stressful family environments.
- Previous definitions link codependency to specific family backgrounds, necessitating further investigation into broader stressors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the correlation between two codependency assessment scales and self-reported chronic family stress.
- To explore the relationship between family background factors and codependency scores among students.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 257 students completed the Spann-Fischer Codependency Scale and the Potter-Efron Codependency Assessment.
- Participants also provided information regarding their family background and history of chronic family stress.
Main Results:
- Women scored higher on the Spann-Fischer Codependency Scale compared to men.
- Students reporting chronic family stress (e.g., parental alcoholism, mental illness, or physical illness) exhibited significantly higher codependency scores on both measures.
Conclusions:
- Chronic family stress is a significant predictor of codependency.
- The findings suggest that diverse family stressors, beyond alcoholism, play a crucial role in the development of codependency.
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