Family Environment Characteristics and Dependent Personality Disorder

Abstract

This etiological investigation examined the family environment of persons diagnosed with dependent personality disorder in contrast to a clinical control group and a normal control group. Three groups of subjects participated in the study. Two groups of outpatients were included: those diagnosed with dependent personality disorder and an equivalent clinical control group with an absence of dependent personality disorder symptoms. A normal control group was composed of volunteers screened for personality disorders and other psychopathology. The Family Environment Scale was used to compare characteristics of the family of origin among the three groups. The results showed that a unique dysfunctional family background was associated with dependent personality disorder. The distinguishing features of this family environment were low expressiveness and high control in the families of the dependent personality group. The results are discussed with regard to Millon's biosocial learning theory of personality.