Dependency, self esteem, clinical depression

The conceptual development of the interaction between dependency and depression is reviewed, using as an intervening variable the self esteem system of the individual who is subject to depression. Some links between theory and operationally testable hypotheses are proposed. The general position of this report is that dependency needs are excessive in the depression prone person and that his precarious self esteem system relies on fulfillment of these needs to such an extent that other means by which self esteem is maintained are not effective. When the interpersonal and intrapsychic mechanism for dependency satisfaction fail, self esteem falls and depression ensues.