Physical health correlates of pathological and healthy dependency in urban women.

Full Abstract

This study assessed the relationship between dependency and indicators of health/illness, healthcare costs, and utilization. Dependency ratings were obtained using the Relationship Profile Test (Bornstein and Languirand, 2003), a questionnaire that assesses healthy and pathological dependency: destructive overdependence (DO), dysfunctional detachment (DD), and healthy dependency (HD). The sample consisted of primarily low-income, African-American, and female primary care patients (N = 110). DO and DD were significantly associated with indices of increased illness, with DO evidencing slightly larger effect sizes than DD. HD was significantly (negatively) associated with 1 health/illness variable. DD and DO were associated with higher total outpatient costs with DD also being associated with average costs per visit. DO and HD were associated with utilization (increased hospital days and fewer emergency room visits, respectively). Further research is recommended to inform researchers and clinicians about the dependency-illness relationship and to develop interventions that maximize HD and minimize pathological dependency.

Author information

Author/s: Porcerelli, John H (JH); Bornstein, Robert F (RF); Markova, Tsveti (T); Huprich, Steven K (SK);

Affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. jporcer(-atsign-)med.wayne.edu

Grants: 224-23M2Q (Agency:PHS HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: The Journal of nervous and mental disease (J Nerv Ment Dis), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Oct; vol 197 (issue 10) : pp 761-5

Dates: Created 2009/10/15; Completed 2009/10/29;

PMID: 19829205, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/29/2009, IMS Date: )

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