Parent-Child Co-Dependency’s: Co-Laziness, Co-Suicidality, Co-Obesity and Other Dependencies: Review and Impact in Pediatric Psychology

Naviaux, AF Janne, Pascal [UCL] Gourdin, Maximilien [UCL]

Background: The term “co-dependency” originates from the realm of addiction psychology. Co-dependency mechanisms may also appear between parents and children. The Covid-19 situation and the confinement restrictions highlight some of these issues, which may be exacerbated by the current environment. Objective: Provide an overview of clinical observations in parent-child codependencies and propose a biopsychosocial model for clinical management of these issues, in order to avoid further parental enmeshment. Methods: Between February 2020 and April 2020, a literature review based on electronic bibliographic databases as well as other sources of information (grey literature) was conducted to investigate various forms of codependencies prevalent between parent and child. We subsequently focused on clinical examples to develop an integrative biopsychosocial model of the relevant parent-child codependencies. Results: Parents, children and caregivers are particularly vulnerable to certain forms of co-dependencies; co-laziness, co-obesity, co-phobias and co-suicidality. However, research is largely limited to adults and comorbidity mechanisms attached to these codependencies remain poorly understood particularly in relation to the pediatric population. Conclusion: Co-dependencie soften emerge from great altruism, tolerance towards inappropriate and maladaptive behaviours and emotions that are difficult to manage. Co-dependencies may help in coping with destructive situations but frequently correspond to an excessive need for control. The examples we used on colaziness, co-obesity, co-phobias and co-suicidality are not to make parents and care workers feel marginalized, but to help illuminate these situations and de-emphasize the co-dependency phenomenon. Ideally, positive connotations should only be granted to relevant behaviours and secondary gains should be minimized in dysfunctional situations.