The dissertation presents a scientific and theoretical justification and an experimental study of the peculiarities of psychological correction of codependency in middle-aged women through identity transformation. The scientific novelty and theoretical significance of the scientific work have been determined, which consist оn the fact that: for the first time:
- the conceptual model of codependency of middle-aged women with the selection of cognitive, motivational, emotional, behavioral and physical components is presented and empirically confirmed;
- a number of personal predictors of the differentiation of codependency in middle-aged women were identified, which included the level of differentiation of identity, self-esteem, personal anxiety, depression, fear of being abandoned, a negative past, a dependent type of interaction and perception of a fatalistic present;
- the psychocorrective potential of positive identity transformation and correction of life perspective is shown as the leading determinant in the socio-psychological technology of overcoming codependency of middle-aged women;
expanded understanding of:
- the specificity of the connection of codependency with cognitive, motivational, psychoemotional, physical characteristics and behavioral potentials of the personality of middle-aged women;
- the specific structure of personality functioning for codependent middle-aged women is determined, which is represented by factors of identity violation, fixation of negative experience, maladaptive behavior and personality resources;
- the influence of the family on the formation of personal identity and the emergence of co-dependent behavior, in particular violations of separation from the mother, which is reproduced from generation to generation;
acquired further development:
- scientific ideas about the phenomenon of «codependency» and its specificity in middle-aged women;
- means of psychological support for overcoming codependency by developing, implementing and confirming the effectiveness of the psychocorrection program for middle-aged women’s codependency through identity transformation.
The practical significance of the dissertation research lies оn the determination of regularities and the development of a conceptual model of codependence of middle-aged women and can be applied in practical work to restore the psychological well-being of an individual. The developed socio-psychological technology of psychocorrection of codependency of middle-aged women through identity transformation by means of group work can be recommended for use in practical activities by practicing psychologists for the purpose of correction of codependent personality behavior.
As a result of the theoretical analysis, the concept of «codependency» was conceptualized as an emotional dependence with a fixation on a certain person, which is based on a strong need for this person in order to support and help him and the inability to set one’s own boundaries, which can lead to one’s own degradation, which is manifested in cognitive, motivational, behavioral, emotional and physical levels of personality development.
According to the analysis of theoretical sources regarding the formation of a codependent personality, it was established that the main cause of violations of personal development is the violation of relationships in the family. The reasons may also be the unfinished processes of separation of the child from the parents and psychological injuries related to physical and emotional violence.
A conceptual structural model of the manifestation of codependency in middle-aged women was developed, with the following components identified: cognitive (weak self-perception, «I-concept», low self-esteem, weak coherence), motivational (need for support from others, violation of life perspective), emotional (negative emotional state, feeling of anxiety, weak psychological immunity, poorly developed resistance to frustration, tendency to depression), behavioral (violation of interpersonal interaction, use of psychological defense mechanisms) and physical (rejection of one's body as a component of a whole organism, maladaptive functioning of the body locus of control).
In the process of empirical research, it was found that the cognitive component of codependent women is characterized by weak self-perception, self-image, low self-esteem, and weak coherence. It was determined that women with codependency mostly have a low level of differentiation of the «self-concept». The emotional component is characterized by manifestations of negative psychoemotional states, personal anxiety, depression, and weak psychological immunity. The motivational component is characterized by the need for support from others due to the fear of being abandoned, a violation of the life perspective, which is manifested in the experience of a negative past and a fatalistic present.
