Differentiating Connectedness and Neediness as Two Forms of Dependency

The Depressive Experiences Questionnaire Dependency scale has been used extensively by researchers to measure a personality style vulnerable to depression. However, subsequent studies have demonstrated that the DEQ-Dependency is composed of two distinct forms of dependency, "Connectedness" and "Neediness", which may have different implications for mental health. While Connectedness may represent a more mature form of dependency than Neediness, it may not represent an entirely "healthy" form of relatedness as previously suggested. Although these scales are being used in current research, it is not yet clear what they represent. One goal of the present study was to further examine the construct validity of Connectedness and Neediness in order to differentiate these constructs. Gender, self-efficacy, relationship quality, and interpersonal behavior were chosen because of their proposed significance in differentiating forms of dependency. 265 undergraduates completed the DEQ, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Mutual Psychological Development Questionnaire (MPDQ), and the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP). Overall, results supported the importance of distinguishing between these two factors of dependency. Neediness was associated with more maladaptive correlates for both genders. The picture is more complex for Connectedness, however, and it appears that Connectedness is less healthy for women than for men.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2001

Author dc:creator

• Niemeyer, Kristin M.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jenkins, Sharon Rae
• Cox, Randall J.
• Campbell, Vicki

• Attachment behavior.
• Depression, Mental.
• College students -- Mental health.
• self-efficacy
• dependency scale
• interpersonal behavior
• depression

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Niemeyer, Kristin M.
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 51217862
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2878/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc2878

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc2878