Cognitive distortions in people with emotional dependence

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Mariantonia Lemos Hoyos
Nora H. Londoño Arredondo
Jhoana A. Zapata Echavarría

Abstract

Objective: To establish the cognitive distortions that best discriminate people with emotional dependence. Method: The sample consisted of 116 participants, 59 women (50.9%) and 57 men (49.1%), with a mean age of 30.84 years (SD = 9,150; range 18 - 55), working people belonging to the Metropolitan area of the city of Medellín-Colombia. The Emotional Dependence Questionnaire (CDE) and the Automatic Thoughts Inventory (IPA) were used. Significant differences in cognitive distortions were analyzed with non-parametric tests for two independent samples: Group 1: people without emotional dependence (SDE); and Group 2: people with emotional dependence (CDE). Subsequently, a discriminant analysis was performed with those variables that were significant. Results: Two variables were significant in the discriminant function: cognitive distortion You should = .889; and the Control Fallacy = .836. Discussion: Emotionally dependent people justify their affective needs according to those related to romantic love, and generate information processing with a predominance of control, which guarantees them quick access to their partner.

Keywords:
Automatic thinking Should you Fallacy of control Affective need Romantic love Information processing Couple

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