Assessment of interpersonal dependency using the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II (MCMI-II) and the depressive experiences questionnaire

Abstract

Interpersonal dependency plays an important role in many forms of physical and psychological problems. Identifying the correlates of interpersonal dependency may aid the understanding of dependency and its emotional and social consequences. The present study examined the reliability of the dependency scales from the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II and the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire. Seventy-five college students were assessed on four separateoccasions using a variety of measures. Internal consistency and 10-week retest reliability estimates were moderately high for both dependency scales. Additionally, scores from the two dependency scales were closely related to each other. Finally, both dependency scales were found to be correlated with measures of low self-esteem, fear of negative evaluation, problems asserting oneself, and shyness. Multiple regression analyses suggested that a fear of negative evaluation was strongly related to dependency as measured by both scales. Results suggest interpersonal dependency is more closely related to anxiety than depression. However, dependency and depression may be related indirectly, with social functioning serving as a mediating variable. Thus, individuals with high levels of dependency may be at risk depression when problems arise in their social functioning.