Bordin, E. S. (1965). The ambivalent quest for independence. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 12(4), 339-345.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/h0022765
The significance of dependence as an issue in psychotherapeutic relationships requires theoretical clarification. A drive for mastery and anxiety about exercising it are proposed to replace the treatment of dependent behavior as a simple continuum ranging from dependence to independence. Attention is called to 2 forms of expression of anxiety, over dependence and counter-dependence. Research offers some support for the view that the overtly dependent response is fostered by parental patterns of initial withholding of commitment followed by overcommitment, whereas the counter-dependent response is fostered by a continually limited commitment. Some evidence is found for the assumption that in the initial phases of therapy high therapist commitment facilitates therapeutic work of overtly dependent patients and interferes with the work of counter-dependent patients. (22 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)