The proposed studies examine a cognitive/interactionist (C/I) model of interpersonal dependency, which contends that dependency-related motivations, behaviors, and emotional responses result from activation of a schema of the self as vulnerable and ineffectual. Variables that increase the accessibility of the dependent person's """"""""helpless"""""""" self-schema should alter responding in each of these domains. Subliminal lexical priming and affective priming techniques are used to increase the accessibility of the helpless self-schema, and the impact of schema priming is assessed using measures of: a) schema accessibility (Experiments 1 and 2); b) dependency-related behavior (Experiments 3 and 4); and c) dependency-related motivation (Experiments 5 and 6). Benefits of these studies include: a) delineating pathways that link the cognitive, emotional, and motivational components of interpersonal dependency; b) elucidating the inter- and intrapersonal processes that underlie situational variability in dependency-related behavior; c) refining diagnostic criteria and assessment techniques for use with dependent psychiatric and medical patients; and d) understanding interpersonal process variables that may enhance the efficacy of treatment techniques for dependency-related disorders (e.g., depression).

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH063723-02
Application #
6623556
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-RPHB-4 (01))
Program Officer
Oliveri, Mary Ellen
Project Start
2002-06-01
Project End
2005-05-31
Budget Start
2003-06-01
Budget End
2004-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$101,093
Indirect Cost
Name
Gettysburg College
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
071445134
City
Gettysburg
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
17325