Emotional Regulation in Individuals, Standing in Codependent Relationship

Abstract

The article presents the research of the emotion regulation in women standing in relationships with addicted partners. It also provides additional results of adaptation of the “Spann–Fischer Codependency Scale” (SF CDS). The sample of the study consisted of women living together with addicted individuals (N=154) aged from 24 to 60 years (M=46,18, SD=8,72). SF CDS showed high reliability indicators. Spenn–Fisher's theoretical model of codependency has been empirically validated CMIN=79,4, df=62; CMIN/df=1,28; p=0,067; AGFI=0,956; RMSEA=0,026; SRMR=0,034. Construct validity tests showed higher rates of codependency in the sample of women who are in relationships with addicts compared to the sample of students. Structural model of the influence of emotion regulation on the severity of codependency is presented. It is shown that the degree of codependency depends on the ability to regulate emotions sufficiently. The exaggeration of the likelihood of a bad outcome of the situation ("catastrophization") and the tendency to mentally fixate on negative events and one's own feelings ("rumination") increase the severity of the state of codependency. The strategy of positive refocusing, as well as the ability to reappraise the meaning of the situation, contribute to the prevention of codependency.

Keywords

• codependency
• codependent relationships
• emotion regulation
• modified spenn–fisher codependency scale
• validation