Study of family system characteristics in co-dependent women

Abstract

This article presents the results of an experimental study of co-dependence as a socio-psychological phenomenon. The study is aimed at analyzing the personality characteristics of co-dependent people. A general hypothesis is the assumption that co-dependence as a form of family relationships has a sustainable effect on the personality characteristics of co-dependent people. The main experimental base was the “Codo Amanat” Rehabilitation Center in Astana and the “Senim” Rehabilitation Center in Almaty. The study involved 110 addicts' mothers living in Astana and Almaty. The article describes in detail the course of the study, consisting of three steps, starting with an interview and a diagnostic study. The findings show that co-dependence is quite a stable and common state among addicts' mothers, and its severity affects the characteristics of the family system. Women with a very high degree of co-dependence experience despair, powerlessness and disbelief in their own abilities due to the exhaustion of all means and resources. At the same time, women with a high degree of co-dependence are more alienated from society, vulnerable to criticism and have a pronounced sense of guilt for addicts' family problems.