Executive Functions in People with Emotional Dependence

Abstract

Introduction: emotional dependence is a form of dysfunctional bonding characterized by extreme dependence on the partner. The objective of this study was to explore the state of executive functions in people with emotional dependence. Materials and method: 30 Argentine adult female volunteers participated (mean age, 42 years); 15 under psychotherapeutic treatment for emotional dependence, and 15 controls. Both groups were matched for educational level and age. A non-probabilistic sampling was done, administering the Emotional Dependence Questionnaire and a neuropsychological battery composed of the Ineco Frontal Screening Test, the Hayling Test and the Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Results: the emotionally dependent group obtained worse executive performance compared to the control group. Multiple correlations were also found between Emotional Dependence Questionnaire scores and executive test scores. Conclusion: these exploratory results suggest that people with emotional dependence could present objective alterations in their executive functions, especially in flexibility and inhibitory control. As it is a study with a small sample size, we note the exploratory scope of these findings, which must be ratified or rejected by future studies.