This study examined maladaptive and relatively more adaptive forms of dependency, as measured by the neediness and connectedness factors of the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ; Blatt, D'Afflitti, & Quinlan, 1976), within a comprehensive scheme of personality provided by the revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO‐PI‐R; Costa & McCrae, 1992). University students (n = 475) completed the DEQ, NEO‐PI‐R, and a measure of depressive symptoms. Results indicated that neediness reflected anxiety, self‐consciousness, vulnerability, unassertiveness, and inactivity, whereas connectedness reflected anxiety, warmth, agreeableness, and valuing of relationships. Neediness demonstrated stronger relations than connectedness with depressive symptoms. These results support the validity of DEQ neediness and connectedness as measures of maladaptive and relatively more adaptive forms of dependency. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This study of university students (N=475) examined maladaptive and relatively more adaptive dimensions of perfectionism represented in measures from three different theoretical frameworks (Beck, 1983, Blatt, 1974, Hewitt and Flett, 1991). Factor analysis of subscales from the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire, Revised Sociotropy-Autonomy Scale, and Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale revealed maladaptive (Self-Critical) and relatively more adaptive (Personal Standards) perfectionism factors. In relation to the revised NEO Personality Inventory, Self-Critical Perfectionism reflected negative perceptions of the self and a defensive interpersonal orientation, whereas Personal Standards Perfectionism reflected active striving for high standards and achievement. Self-Critical Perfectionism was distinguished from neuroticism in terms of its relations with negative interpersonal traits and current depressive symptoms.

The display of atypical behaviors and disrupted communication during parent-infant interactions, as assessed by the Atypical Maternal Behavior Instrument for Assessment and Classification (AMBIANCE), has been linked to disorganized infant attachment, which, in turn, has been linked to psychopathology. The present study examined the usefulness of the AMBIANCE as an indicator of the efficacy of two brief interventions in reducing atypical behaviors and disrupted communication during play interactions. Twenty-eight mother-infant dyads participated (14 per intervention). All infants had feeding problems. One intervention. Interaction Guidance, focused on training caregivers to respond sensitively to their infants (play-focused intervention). The other intervention focused on training mothers to use new feeding techniques (feeding-focused intervention). Results showed a significant decrease in AMBIANCE scores in the play-focused group from pre- to postintervention. but not in the feeding-focused group. There was a significant decrease in the level of disrupted communication from pre- to postintervention sessions in the play-focused group but not in the feeding-focused group. 73% of mothers from the play-focused group and 17% of mothers from the feeding-focused group initially classified as "disrupted" attained a classification of "nondisrupted" at the postintervention session. Some limitations of the study include small sample size, differences in timing of assessment for each intervention, and use of samples of convenience. Nonetheless, these findings provide preliminary evidence both of the usefulness of AMBIANCE as an instrument for assessing clinical efficacy and the efficacy of Interaction Guidance.