Emotional dependence and parenting. An exploratory analysis from a systemic-relational perspective

Journal title TERAPIA FAMILIARE
Author/s Lucia Porcedda, Sara Ninu
Publishing Year 2026 Issue 2026/140
Language Italian Pages 22 P. 97-118 File size 210 KB
DOI 10.3280/TF2026-140006
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In recent years, scientific literature has increasingly focused on emotional dependence. This construct represents a subjective distress. Concurrently, it exemplifies a relational issue sustained by dysfunctional couple dynamics that reinforce the dependency bond and limit the personal fulfilment (Blecha et al., 2010; Cabras, 2020; Guerreschi, 2018; Kwee 2007; DiazMosquera, Latorre & Merlyn, 2024; Mangialavori & Cacioppo, 2020). Over time, the literature on this topic has mainly focused on: its definition, dependent personality traits, risk factors in the developmental history of the emotionally dependent individuals, and the most common couple dynamics associated with this relational condition (Blecha et al., 2010; Cabras, 2020; DiazMosquera et al., 2024; Guerreschi, 2018; Inama, 2002; Momeñe et al., 2024). The objective of the present exploratory and qualitative study is to examine whether the emotional dependence condition within the parental couple represents a risk factor in the exercise of parenting. This clinicianreport study has gathered the indirect perspectives of expert psychotherapists (n = 54) regarding the phenomenon under investigation, through the voluntary and anonymous completion of a questionnaire. The following article will offer a detailed presentation of this questionnaire, specifically structured to explore the parental dimensions under study, along with the associated results. Despite the exploratory nature of the study and the related absence of generalizable results, the data obtained confirm the necessity for further methodologically rigorous investigations. This necessity arises from the responses provided by the expert informants, which appear to converge towards the presence of meaningful patterns capable of highlighting risk and protective factors in the exercise of parenting functions.

Keywords: emotional dependence, parenting, couple dynamics, parenting styles, family boundaries, parental risk factors.

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Lucia Porcedda, Sara Ninu, Dipendenza affettiva e genitorialità. Un’analisi esplorativa in ottica sistemico-relazionale in "TERAPIA FAMILIARE" 140/2026, pp 97-118, DOI: 10.3280/TF2026-140006