This paper examined and critiqued the construct of codependency by exploring the extent to which stereotypically feminine characteristics were associated with codependency and related aspects of psychological distress and dysfunction. The definition of codependency by mental health professionals lacks a clear, categorical, standardized definition of the construct; codependency has never been thoroughly examined in a scientific and empirical manner that is methodologically and statistically sound.
This study further researched and characterized the differences as well as the similarities among individuals identified as codependent in order to create a broader understanding of the features of this construct. It was predicted that women possessing high levels of these stereotypically feminine traits, as measured by the Bem Sex Role Inventory (1981), will exhibit higher levels of codependency, as evidenced by the Fischer, Spann, and Crawford Codependency Test. In addition, it was hypothesized that these women will display more depression, more anxiety, less assertiveness, and have lower self-esteem than women who are less "feminine."
Findings revealed femininity was significantly and positively related to codependency, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and a lack of assertiveness, thus supporting all five hypotheses. It was concluded that the codependency is related to femininity and pathology, and these factors must be considered by mental health professionals when assisting the codependent individual. A unique finding of this study was that of the variables studied, codependency, depression, and anxiety were most strongly linked to femininity.
These findings are important because the chance of helping codependent women is greater if this tendency is identified and understood by a mental health professional. Without this information there has been little to prevent the lay person from reaching erroneous conclusions and emb...