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Preferred term

interpersonal dependency  

Definition

  • Interpersonal dependency—the tendency to rely on other people for nurturance, guidance, protection, and support even in situations where autonomous functioning is possible—is one of the more widely studied personality traits in the field of human relationships. Individual differences in interpersonal dependency not only predict important features of social behavior (e.g., help-seeking, conformity, compliance, and suggestibility), but also have implications for illness risk, health service use, compliance with medical and psychotherapeutic regimens, and success in adjusting to the physical and emotional challenges of aging. [Source: Encyclopedia of Human Relationships; Interpersonal Dependency]

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https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/interpersonal_dependency

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