Examining predictive factors of relationship behaviors

Abstract

The current study examined the effects of relationship behaviors and dating-age on codependency. Specifically, associations between codependency scores and the initial age of dating, or whether or not participants dated before, were explored. Participants (N = 88; 20 males, 67 females, 1 gender fluid) consisted of university students between the ages of 18 and 31 (Mage = 20.63). The multiple regression results suggested that there is a statistically significant negative relationship between codependency scores and the age participants began dating (p<0.05) when factoring in other variables such as personality traits, identity styles, gender, and vertical individualism/collectivism. There was also a weak negative correlation between just the codependency scores and age of dating (r=-0.23). No significant differences were found in the codependency scores of people that dated versus the people that never dated. It was difficult to compare daters vs non-daters as only 10 of the participants indicated that they had never dated before. However, none of the non-daters had a high codependency score (greater than 67.2, as suggested by Spann-Fisher) while approximately 20% of the people who dated had high codependency scores. Previously studied variables that have been associated with codependency were controlled for, such as family stressors. Some new variables were examined, such as vertical collectivism, and were found to be positively correlated to developing codependency. Identification of adolescents dating early as predictive of high codependency scores could help to target the prevention and/or treatment of later developing high levels of codependency.