Passive-submissive and active-emotional trait dependency: evidence for a two-factor model

Dependency plays an important role in both normal and abnormal personality, but the construct remains loosely defined, both in clinical practice and the research literature. Moreover, although a number of measures purport to measure trait dependency, little agreement exists as to the structure of dependency within or across these instruments. Furthermore, what constitutes the low end of trait dependency remains unclear. Five hundred nine undergraduates completed a battery of 14 dependency scales and subscales, a subset of whom (n=322) also completed a broad measure of personality pathology (SNAP-2). Exploratory factor analysis of the dependency measures yielded two correlated factors-Passive-Submissive and Active-Emotional dependency-as well as a third, unrelated factor, Detachment/Autonomy, all with differential correlates to the pathological personality traits of the SNAP-2. Taken together, these data suggest a clear, 2-factor model for trait dependency that is distinct from detachment/autonomy.