Layne A. Prest and Howard Protinsky
According to an increasing number of experts on addictions, untold millions of people in our society are codependent. Yet, the construct of codependence is variously defined, undermining its clinical and research utility. In addition, the relationship between the various symptoms (e.g., addictions), the dynamics of dysfunctional families, and codependence has not been fully developed. This paper offers a critical review and synthesis of the codependency literature, along with an intergenerational family systems framework for conceptualizing the relationship of the dysfunctional family to the construct of codependence. The paper presents a theoretical basis for systemic clinical work and research.
There are over 10 million alcoholics in the United States (Ackerman, 1983). The compulsive and addictive behavioral patterns in which these people are engaged seriously affect the lives of three to five people with whom they are closely associated (Whitfield, 1984). Our society also includes eight million binge eaters (Pope & Hudson, 1984), millions of obese compulsive overeaters (Hollis, 1985), and thousands who develop anorexia nervosa (Steirlin & Weber, 1989). Twenty-five percent of teens at some time experience an eating disorder (Maloney & Klyklo, 1983). There are also untold numbers of compulsive gamblers (Brown, 1987), sexual addicts (Carnes, 1983), and “women who love too much” (Norwood, 1985). Many of these variously addictive or compulsive individuals marry and raise “dysfunctional” families (Friel & Friel, 1988). For example, it has been reported that the United States contains 28-40 million
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