Co-dependency in mothers of addicted persons: Data from Bulgaria

Abstract

Introduction

Co-dependent relationships are characterized as a type of dysfunctional helping relationship in which there is an excessive reliance on other people for approval and identity. This is very common for female relatives who support/enable another person's addiction, poor mental health, immaturity, and/or irresponsibility.

Objective

The aim of the present study is to reveal the co-dependence profile of mothers of addicted persons in Bulgaria.

Method

Four hundred Bulgarian women coming from Blagoevgrad, Sofia and Stara Zagora (M_age = 53.55, SD_age = 5.58; level of education: 71% with high school degree, 29%with university degree; all mothers of addicted persons) were examined at the Municipal Council on Drug Addiction Blagoevgrad with the STAI-state questionnaire, the ZUNG Self Rating Depression Scale and the Questionnaire of Establishment of Codependency.

Results

Results indicated that in a scale of scores ranging from 2 = minimum to 4 = maximum of co-dependence, this group of women had high self-reported levels of co-dependence (M = 3.6375, SD = .52610), a high depressive profile (M = 49.07, SD = 3.23, and high state anxiety (M = 66.60, SD = 5.58).

Conclusions

The present research suggests that mothers of dependent individuals in Bulgaria show a high level of co-dependency, anxiety and depression. Future research should clarify the reasons of this overall negative emotional profile.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.