A cultural perspective on codependency and its treatment

Abstract

The construct of codependency evolved from the chemical dependency field. It has since been expanded to include excessively other-oriented caretaking traits and behaviors stemming from exposure to a chronically stressful or dysfunctional family environment. Based on current research findings and clinical observations, the purpose of this paper is to discuss codependency and its effective treatment from a cultural perspective. Characteristics of codependency typically found among college students and the influence of cultural values on the development of codependency in Taiwanese college students are discussed. Specific cultural considerations when using Bowen's family systems theory to conceptualize and treat Taiwanese college students with codependency are presented.

Keywords:

• codependency
• cultural values
• Bowen's theory
• differentiation of self

Acknowledgements

I would like to offer grateful acknowledgement to Dr. Christine Suniti Bhat at Ohio University for her feedback on an earlier version of this article.