Interpersonal Dependency in a Sub-Saharan African Sample of Undergraduates: Personality and Gender as Factors

Abstract

Interpersonal dependency is a complex, multifaceted personality trait that has adaptive and maladaptive
variants. Moreover, maladaptive dependency has been linked to numerous forms of psychopathology,
including depression, social anxiety, panic, disordered eating, substance abuse, avoidant personality
disorder, borderline personality disorder, and especially dependent personality disorder. This study
examined personality traits (extroversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness
to experience) and gender as factors in interpersonal dependency among undergraduates. Participants
were 300 students (60.0% male and 40% female) conveniently drawn from the University of Nigeria.
Their age ranged from 17 to 30 years, with a mean age of 22.2 years (SD = 3.4). Two measures were
employed in the study, namely, Interpersonal Dependency Inventory (IDI) and the Big Five Inventory
(BFI). The results of a hierarchical multiple regression showed that extroversion and neuroticism
positively predicted interpersonal dependency. Agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to
experience were negative predictors of interpersonal dependency. Gender did not have any significantly
influence on interpersonal dependency Thus, undergraduates with increased extroversion and
neuroticism, and decreased agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience personality
traits may be more likely to experience more interpersonal dependency. Therefore, personality traits that
can lead to maladaptive interpersonal dependency among undergraduates should be reduced. This also
suggests the need for targeted interventions on interpersonal dependency for undergraduate students
with different personality traits.