Dependency: Definition, Theory, & Psychology

By Kelsey Schultz, Ph.D. Candidate
​Reviewed by Tchiki Davis, M.A., Ph.D.

Dependency is something we all experience at some point, but there may be more to the topic than we think. Keep reading to learn more about the definition, theory, and psychology behind dependency.​

*This page may include affiliate links; that means we earn from qualifying purchases of products.

Dependency can be a somewhat complicated subject. In many cultures, especially in an individualistic culture like we have in the United States, dependency is thought of as something negative. It’s often equated with a character flaw or a state of weakness. Though you could certainly make a case for instances in which this is true, it’s also true that dependence is an unavoidable fact of life.

We are all dependent on natural resources like air, food, and water. As children, we are dependent on our parents or caregivers to meet all of our needs. As adults, we depend on one another for much more than many of us may recognize. We depend on farmers, scientists, engineers, the multitude of individuals that are part of every kind of supply chain, factory workers, journalists, architects, designers, educators, and medical professionals. And these are only a few of many examples of people and systems that we rely on for nearly every aspect of our daily lives. Let’s talk a bit more about what dependency is and how it may manifest in our lives.

​Before reading on, if you're a therapist, coach, or wellness entrepreneur, be sure to grab our free Wellness Business Growth eBook to get expert tips and free resources that will help you grow your business exponentially.​​​​​​​​​

Are You a Therapist, Coach, or Wellness Entrepreneur?

Grab Our Free eBook to Learn How to
Grow Your Wellness Business Exponentially!

 ✓  Save hundreds of hours of time  ✓  Earn more $ faster  
​✓  Boost your credibility ✓  Deliver high-impact content 

---

What Is Dependency? (A Definition)

In the context of social and interpersonal dynamics, dependency refers to a state in which an individual, group, or society relies on another individual, group, or society for resources, support, or guidance.
​
Dependency, however, can take a variety of forms. Examples include an addict’s dependence on drugs, a child’s dependence on their parent, or (in the context of science) a variable’s dependence on an experimental manipulation. We would also consider a nation that depends on foreign aid or exports as economically dependent, a person that depends on someone else for validation as psychologically dependent, and a young person that lives with their parents as financially dependent. In all of these varied contexts, reliance on another entity is a unifying theme.​

Opposite of Dependency

The opposite of dependency is independence, or the ability to rely on yourself to meet your needs and make decisions based on your own values and beliefs. An independent person is self-sufficient and able to take care of themselves emotionally and physically. They have a strong sense of self and are able to make decisions without seeking approval or guidance from others. Independence can be a valuable trait, as it can lead to greater self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-reliance. However, being independent doesn’t mean being completely isolated or self-sufficient in all areas of life. As mentioned previously, there are many aspects of our lives in which we depend on others. It is also often necessary to seek support and guidance from others at times, especially during challenging or stressful situations.

Dependency in Psychology

In psychology, dependency typically refers to a relationship that is characterized by excessive reliance on other people (or substances) to meet emotional, physical, or psychological needs. It is often studied in the context of a maladaptive pattern of behaviors such as pathological gambling or drug addiction.  

Dependency can be rooted in a variety of factors, including genetics (Hiroi & Agatsuma, 2005), environment, and psychological and social factors (Kopala-Sibley et al., 2015). People who experience high levels of stress or trauma, have low self-esteem, or have a history of neglect or abuse may be more susceptible to developing patterns of dependency (Disney, 2013).

Dependency Theory

Dependency Theory refers to a school of thought in social science that examines why some countries are underdeveloped relative to wealthy nations and how this can be overcome (Sonntag, 2001). Specifically, Dependency Theory suggests that wealthy, developed countries increase their wealth at the expense of underdeveloped or poorer nations.
​
According to Dependency Theory, the development of the global capitalist system creates a situation in which wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few dominant countries, while poorer countries are exploited for their natural resources and labor. This exploitation perpetuates the underdevelopment of these countries, as they are unable to fully participate in the global economy or develop their own industries (Ferraro, 2008).
 
If you’re interested in learning more about Dependency Theory, check out this video:​

Video: Dependency Theory

Dependency vs. Codependency

Dependence and codependence are related concepts, but they are not synonymous. Both dependency and codependency refer to reliance on other people as well as dependence on substances or behaviors. The two terms differ, however, in their implications. Dependency does not necessarily imply that the behavior is pathological, while codependency does imply a dysfunctional pattern of behavior. In other words, dependency can be perfectly healthy and sometimes even necessary, but codependency always refers to a pattern of relating to others that is problematic.
​
More specifically, codependency refers to a specific relationship dynamic in which one person is overly reliant on another person for their emotional and psychological needs. Codependence is also commonly characterized as “a disease of lost self-hood” (Whitfield, 1993). That is, codependent people sometimes deprioritize themselves so much that they abandon their own values and desires in favor of someone else’s.

Dependency Types

Dependency is a term that captures many different aspects of interpersonal interactions. Below are a few examples of dependency that are commonly studied by behavioral scientists.

Substance Dependence:
Substance dependence refers to a pattern of compulsive drug or alcohol use, characterized by tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and a persistent desire to use the substance despite negative consequences.

Codependency:
As mentioned previously, codependency is a type of relationship in which one person relies excessively on another person for emotional and psychological needs. Codependent individuals may struggle with boundaries, have a strong need for approval, and often put the needs of others before their own.

Behavioral or Process Addictions:
Behavioral or process addictions refer to a pattern of compulsive behavior or activities that a person is unable to control. Examples include gambling addiction, shopping addiction, and internet addiction.

Emotional Dependence: 
Emotional dependence refers to a pattern of relying on another person for emotional support, validation, or security. This can occur in close relationships, such as romantic partnerships or friendships.

Physical Dependence: 
Physical dependence refers to a pattern of relying on a substance or medication to manage physical symptoms, such as pain or anxiety. Physical dependence can lead to withdrawal symptoms when the substance is discontinued.

Psychological Dependence: 
Psychological dependence refers to a pattern of relying on a substance or behavior to manage psychological symptoms, such as stress or anxiety. This can occur with substances such as drugs or alcohol but can also occur with activities such as gambling or gaming.​

Dependency Issues

Though dependency does not necessarily imply problematic behavior, it can become problematic when it is excessive or contextually inappropriate. Dependency issues can arise in many of the contexts in which we might commonly find ourselves, such as personal relationships, work environments, and sociocultural environments. These issues can have significant negative consequences on our health, well-being, and functioning, so it’s important to know the signs of burgeoning dependent behaviors.
​
Common signs of dependency issues may include:

• an inability to function or manage daily tasks without the substance, person, or activity;
• withdrawal symptoms when the substance or activity is unavailable;
• loss of interest in other activities or relationships;
• continuing to engage in the behavior or relationship despite negative consequences;
• difficulty setting boundaries or asserting oneself in relationships;
• feelings of guilt, shame, or anxiety related to the dependency; and
• an inability to regulate emotions or cope with stressors without the substance or activity.

Dependency Disorder

Dependent personality disorder (DPD) is a mental health condition characterized by a pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of, leading to submissive and clinging behavior, fear of separation, and difficulty in making independent decisions. People with DPD often have a deep-seated fear of being alone and may go to great lengths to avoid it, even if it means sacrificing their own needs or desires (Disney, 2013). It is thought that family environment, social learning, severe childhood illness, and biological predisposition may be factors that can put someone at greater risk for developing dependent personality disorder (Disney, 2013).

This disorder is included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), which provides the standards for diagnoses among health professionals. According to the DSM-III-R (1987), symptoms of dependent personality disorder include:
​

1. an inability to make everyday decisions;
2. allowing others to make important decisions;
3. agreeing with people even if they are thought to be wrong; 
4. difficulty initiating projects;
5. performing unpleasant tasks to obtain the approval of others;
6. a dislike of being alone;
7. devastation when close relationships end;
8. preoccupation with fears of abandonment; and
9. being easily hurt by criticism or disapproval.

Dependency Examples

Dependency is common. We are often dependent on things without even knowing it. Below are a few examples of common dependencies that may apply to you.

• dependence on parents
  
• dependence on cell phones
  
• dependence on the internet
  
• dependence on computers
  
• dependence on running water
  
• dependence on medicine
  
• dependence on textiles
  
• dependence on clean air
  
• dependence on the integrity of an ecosystem
  

Quotes on Dependency

• “If you want to be a slave in life, then continue going around asking others to do for you. They will oblige, but you will find the price is your choices, your freedom, your life itself. They will do for you, and as a result you will be in bondage to them forever, having given your identity away for a paltry price. Then, and only then, you will be a nobody, a slave, because you yourself and nobody else made it so.” ― Terry Goodkind
  
• “In making friends, she was wary of people who foster dependency and feed on it. She had been involved with a few—the blind attract them, and they are the enemy.” ― Thomas Harris
  
• “For everyone you create to be dependent on you, you are equally dependent on them. Neither relationship is healthy.” ― Alan Cohen
  
• “It is this dependency that became, and is, the breeding ground for abuses of power.” ― bell hooks
  
• “Wealth is supposed to liberate us from the dangers of dependency, but quickly becomes a dependency in its own right. The wealthier we are, the higher our standard of living and the more—not less—we depend on society for our safety and comfort.” ― Sebastian Junger
  
• “Mobile phones have been around for only about twenty years, but in just that short amount of time they’ve managed to take complete control over us. In the span of two decades something that we don’t really need has come to dominate our lives and make us believe that we can’t live without it. When human beings invented the mobile phone, they also invented the anxiety that comes with not having one on you.” ― Genki Kawamura
  
• “As adults, we will hate only if we remain trapped in a situation in which we cannot give free expression to our feelings. It is this dependency that makes us start to hate. As soon as we break that dependency (which as adults we can normally do, unless we are prisoners of some totalitarian regime), as soon as we free ourselves from that slavery, then we will no longer hate.” ― Alice Miller
  
• “The only way to save a rhinoceros is to save the environment in which it lives, because there's a mutual dependency between it and millions of other species of both animals and plants.” — David Attenborough
  
• “Our dependency makes slaves out of us, especially if this dependency is a dependency of our self-esteem. If you need encouragement, praise, pats on the back from everybody, then you make everybody your judge.” — Fritz Perls
  

Articles Related to Dependency

​Want to learn more? Check out these articles:

• Codependency: Definition, Examples, Symptoms, & Recovery
• Self-Reliance: Definition, Examples, & Tips
• Positive Reinforcement: Definition, Theory, & Examples
• Open Relationships: Definition, Types, & Tips
  

Books Related to Dependency

If you’d like to keep learning more, here are a few books that you might be interested in.

• Don't Call It Love: Breaking the Cycle of Relationship Dependency
• Conquering Chemical Dependency: A Christ Centered 12 Step Process
• Chemical Dependency: A Systems Approach
• ​Healthy Dependency: Leaning on Others Without Losing Yourself

Final Thoughts on Dependency

Dependency is commonly cast in a negative light, but the truth is that we all depend on something or someone. There is nothing inherently shameful or wrong about having a dependency. Often being dependent is necessary. However, when a dependency becomes a complete inability to rely on ourselves, it can become a problem. Ideally, we would find a healthy balance between dependencies and self-reliance.

Don't Forget to Grab Our Free eBook to Learn How to
Grow Your Wellness Business Exponentially!

---

References

• Disney, K. L. (2013). Dependent personality disorder: a critical review. Clinical psychology review, 33(8), 1184–1196.
• Ferraro, V. (2008). Dependency theory: An introduction. The development economics reader, 12(2),  58–64.
• Hiroi, N., & Agatsuma, S. (2005). Genetic susceptibility to substance dependence. Molecular psychiatry, 10(4), 336–344.
• Kopala-Sibley, D. C., Zuroff, D. C., Hankin, B. L., & Abela, J. R. (2015). The development of self-criticism and dependency in early adolescence and their role in the development of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 41(8), 1094–1109.
• Sonntag, H. R. (2001). Dependency Theory. International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences. NJ Smelser and PB Baltes.
• Whitfield, C. L. (1993). Boundaries and relationships: Knowing, protecting and enjoying the self. Health Communications, Inc. ​

Are You a Therapist, Coach, or Wellness Entrepreneur?

Grab Our Free eBook to Learn How to Grow Your Wellness Business Fast!

Key Articles:

• Happiness​
• Well-Being
• Emotions
• Stress Management
• Self-Confidence
• Self-Care
• Manifestation
• ​All Articles...

Content Packages:

• All-Access Pass​
• ​​PLR Content Packages
• PLR Courses​