Interpersonal Dependency as a Predictor of Satisfaction with Inpatient Hospital Treatment

Author(s): Richard M. O'Neill, Robert F. Bornstein

DOI: https://doi.org/10.65030/idr.04013

Abstract: Studies have shown that high levels of interpersonal dependency are associated with decreased latency of medical help-seeking following symptom onset, increased frequency of health and mental health service use, and cooperativeness and compliance during medical and psychological treatment. This investigation assessed the relationship between level of interpersonal dependency and satisfaction with inpatient hospital treatment in a mixed-sex sample of 76 patients admitted to a broad array of treatment units. As predicted, dependent patients reported higher levels of treatment satisfaction than did nondependent patients regardless of treatment modality or length of hospital stay. Theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.

Keywords: Interpersonal dependency; Treatment satisfaction; Help-seeking behavior; Patient attitudes; Hospitalized patients; Individual differences

Pages: 129-137

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