Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Semester of Degree Completion

1995

Thesis Director

Russell E. Gruber

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between the construct of codependency, family alcohol consumption patterns, degree of family dysfunction, and gender. It was proposed that codependent behaviors, feelings, and attitudes would be present in persons regardless of the reported degree of family alcohol abuse if dysfunctional patterns of relating exsisted in the family of origin. It was further hypothesised that women would evidence higher codependency scores than males in all groups. The Spann-Fischer codependency assessment instrument was use to measure subjects feelings and attitudes. Subjects were divided into four groups based on their report of family dysfunction and family alcohol consumption patterns. Results indicated codependent characteristics were more prevalent in subjects from the maximum dysfunction group compaired to those in the minimum dysfunction group regardless of reported degree of family alcohol consumption. Females did not score significantly higher than males. The additional questions assessing the concept of Hypervigilence did not show significant intercorrelations and only correlated moderately with the Spann-Fisher assessment instrument. The concept of codependency is reviewed and implications for future research are discussed.

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