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Depathologizing dependency

R F Bornstein1

  • 1Department of Psychology, Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania 17325, USA.

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
|March 4, 1998
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Dependent personality traits are often viewed negatively. However, research shows dependency is linked to healthy, adaptive behaviors, suggesting a need to depathologize these traits in mental health.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Psychiatry
  • Mental Health

Background:

  • Historically, dependent personality traits have been pathologized by mental health professionals.
  • Focus has predominantly been on maladaptive and problematic aspects of dependency.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review theoretical frameworks that pathologize dependency.
  • To present empirical findings that highlight adaptive aspects of dependency.
  • To discuss implications of depathologizing dependent personality traits.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of theoretical frameworks.
  • Synthesis of empirical research on personality traits.

Main Results:

  • Dependency is associated with healthy and adaptive traits and behaviors.

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  • Existing theories often overemphasize the negative aspects of dependency.
  • Empirical evidence challenges the solely pathological view of dependency.

    • Conclusions:

    • Depathologizing dependency is crucial for a more balanced understanding.
    • Clinical and theoretical approaches to personality disorders should incorporate adaptive dependency.
    • Future research should explore the full spectrum of dependency traits.