How dependent a person, am I ?

Dependency

  • Reliance on others for support and protection
  • Mental state of viewing the self as weak

Dependency is unhealthy when

  • Excessive and uncontrolled
  • Part of general behavior
  • Need is to function independently

Dependency is driven by

  • Goals, beliefs, expectations
  • Varies from situation to situation

Primary influencers of dependent behavior

  • View self as weak
  • View significant others as powerful
  • Desire good relationship
  • Fear negative evaluation
  • Avoid rejection

High dependency exposes to certain risks

  • Abuse by significant others
  • Abandonment by significant others

Parenting style influences dependency

  • Overprotective parenting leads to weak, vulnerable and over-dependency
  • Authoritarian parenting leads to rigid, indifferent and insecure dependency

Continued...

Parenting style influences dependency

  • Supportive parenting leads to healthy dependency

Healthy dependency behavior

  • Selective, flexible, situation appropriate, right context
  • Mature defense style, sophisticated situation handling, better social skills