Validation of Connectedness and Neediness as Dimensions of the Dependency Construct

Abstract

This study (1) tested the 2-factor structure of the DEQ dependency scale (Neediness and Connectedness subscales) using confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) in a student sample, adult community sample, and a clinical sample of patients with major depression; (2) assessed the discriminant validity of these 2 subscales by comparing their differences in clinical and nonclinical samples, and by examining their relation to depression severity; (3) examined differences between men and women on these factors; and (4) explored the pattern of correlations of these factors to the domains and facets of the 5-Factor Model of Personality (FFM). Neither the CFA nor the pattern of differences between the 3 samples and between the men and women provided strong support for the 2-factor model of dependency; nor was the expected association to severity of depression found. Only weak support of a 2-factor model emerged from the correlations of these constructs with the FFM.