Analiza uwarunkowań rozwojowych minimalizujących ryzyko kształtowania się osobowości zależnej w dzieciństwie i wczesnej adolescencji

Dependent personality disorder is characterized by an excessive need to be cared for, submissiveness, difficulty making decisions and fear of separation. This paper analyses developmental conditions that may reduce the risk of consolidating a dependent pattern of functioning in childhood and early adolescence. It is a problem-oriented narrative review. Classical developmental theories are confronted with prospective research, twin studies, retrospective studies and meta-analyses concerning attachment, overprotection, psychological control and autonomy support. Empirical findings indicate that autonomy restriction, high control, substitution for the child, maltreatment and neglect may contribute to conditions that favour dependency. The evidence does not, however, permit any single parenting practice to be treated as a direct cause of DPD. A transactional model, in which child temperament, caregiver behaviour, attachment quality, agency experiences and later social relationships interact over time, is the most justified.