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Kolenova, A., et al. (2023). Personality traits, approval motivation, and empathy as predictors of cognitive regulation of emotions
and behavioral self-control in codependent women, International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and
Education (IJCRSEE), 11(2), 187-197.
Introduction
Recent studies of the codependency phenomenon, regardless of the approach, show that
codependency can be studied through the specics of learned behavioral patterns, features of emotional
states, adaptation disorders, various personality disorders, etc. (Artemtseva, 2012; Artemtseva and
Galkina, 2014; Moskalenko, 2016; Rezvaya, Samsonov and Kutashova, 2019; Askian, et al., 2016;
Askian, et al., 2016; Bacon, et al., 2020; Panaghi, et al., 2016; Rozhnova, et al., 2020; etc.). A number of
studies, including our previously published works, emphasized a rather high comorbidity with emotional
disorders and other forms of addictive behavior (substance abuse, gambling, the Internet, etc.) and show
the specics of code-pendents psychological characteristics, which manifest themselves in the emotional,
behavioral and cognitive aspects (Andronnikova, 2017; Apenok, 2015; Bashmanov and Kalinichenko,
2015; Bereza et al., 2016; Gagai and Selezneva, 2016; Kolenova and Gurtskoy, 2019; Merinov et al.,
2015; Perminova, 2017; Pleshakova, 2018; and others).
At the emotional level, the codependency manifestations are closely associated with emotional
sensitivity and a high level of empathy, neuroticism, anxiety, externality of control, decreased self-
esteem, guilt, and depressive symptoms (Stryapukhina and Posokhova, 2022; Stryapukhina Yu. V.,
2021; Shapovalov and Golenischeva, 2022; Orbon M. C. et al., 2021; Kupchenko, 2020; Politica O.
I., 2020; Ermakov, Kukulyar and Kolenova, 2018; Tulebaeva, 2017; Kogan, Drozdov and Kardashian,
2012; Moskalenko, 2009). A sample of relatives of drug addicts showed a high level of emotional burnout
(Shishkova and Bocharov, 2022). Women in romantic relationships with drug addicts have a low level of
Personality Traits, Approval Motivation, and Empathy as Predictors
of Cognitive Regulation of Emotions and Behavioral Self-Control in
Codependent Women
Anastasia Kolenova
1,2
, Ekaterina Denisova
1,2*
, Anna Kukulyar
1,3
, Pavel Ermakov
1
1
Regional Scientic Center of the Russian Academy of Education, Southern Federal University; Rostov-on-Don, Russian
Federation, e-mail: askolenova@gmail.com, denisovakeith@gmail.com, vetkina-anna@mail.ru, paver@sfedu.ru
2
Department “Clinical Psychology and Psychophysiology”, Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation
3
Department “General and consultative psychology” Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation
Abstract: This study examined psychological characteristics and behavioral regulation in codependent women. The study
aimed to identify personality traits, approval motivation, and empathy levels as predictors of behavioral regulation in codependent
women. A total of 102 women (mean age 30.39 years) in relationships or related to alcohol, drug, or non-chemical addicts
participated. Psychological testing and survey were used to assess codependence, aggression, empathy, need for approval,
cognitive regulation of emotions, and self-regulation strategies: codependency Self-Inventory scale (CSIS; B. Weinhold, J.
Weinhold); questionnaire “Auto- and Aggression to others” (E.P. Ilyin); method “Diagnosis of the level of empathy” (V. V. Boyko);
Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (adapted by Yu.L.Khanin); The questionnaire of cognitive regulation of emotions
(Rasskazova E.I., Leonova A.B., Pluzhnikov I.V.) and the questionnaire “Style of self-regulation of behavior” (Morosanova V.I.).
Results suggest that personal characteristics, approval motivation, and empathy can predict the severity of codependence,
manifestation of aggressiveness, self-regulation strategies, and cognitive regulation strategies in codependent women.
Keywords: codependency, codependent women, codependent behavior, personality traits, approval motivation, empathy,
cognitive regulation of emotions, behavioral self-control.
Original scientic paper
Received: May, 15.2023.
Revised: July, 14.2023.
Accepted: July, 25.2023.
UDC:
159.923.075-053.2:316.362.1-056.8
159.942.075-053.2:316.362.1-056.8
10.23947/2334-8496-2023-11-2-187-197
© 2023 by the authors. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the
Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
*
Corresponding author: denisovakeith@gmail.com
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Kolenova, A., et al. (2023). Personality traits, approval motivation, and empathy as predictors of cognitive regulation of emotions
and behavioral self-control in codependent women, International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and
Education (IJCRSEE), 11(2), 187-197.
emotional intelligence, a reduced ability to understand and manage their own emotions (Khazovaand and
Shipova, 2020).
At the cognitive level, codependence is associated with dysfunctional beliefs and certain cognitive
errors associated with the need for control and the desire to avoid uncertainty (Artemtseva and Malkina,
2022). It has been shown that codependents have decreased levels of reection and self-differentiation,
emotional reactivity, emotional withdrawal, and merging with others (Lampis, et al., 2017). In addition,
features of the time perspective were identied in codependent men and women, which are characterized
by an increased focus on the present (Danilova and Gomba, 2021).
In the behavioral aspect, a tendency to obsessions, loss of personal autonomy, a predominance
of catastrophizing reactions, a tendency to self-aggression and self-destructive behavior were shown
(Stryapukhina, 2021; Kupchenko, 2020; Rozhnova T. M. et al., 2020; Kolenova and Gurtskoy, 2019;
Buzik and Emova, 2019; Perminova, 2017; Merinov et al., 2015). Codependency, as a dysfunctional
form of relationships, is signicantly associated with negative forms of dyadic adaptation in couples,
relationship problems, and reduced life satisfaction (Happ, et al., 2022). There is also evidence of the
absence or blurring of psychological boundaries and a tendency to violate them with others, negative
attitudes towards theirs self and others, as well as a lack of personal coping resources (Khazova and
Varioshkina, 2022; Kolenova, 2019; Tasheva and Bedredinova, 2016). A decrease in self-regulation at
psychological and physiological levels has also been shown (Zielinski, Bradshaw and Mullet, 2019).
Previous studies of the motivational sphere, which are not numerous among codependents, showed
a pronounced need for approval and the motive “to be needed” (Stryapukhina, 2021; Vinnikov, 2019).
In earlier works, we also managed to establish that the severity of codependency can be determined
by deformation of the value-semantic sphere, lack of necessary competencies under the inuence of
negative experience of dysfunctional relationships with signicant others, which is also seen in a number
of other codependency studies (Artemtseva and Galkina, 2014; Bereza, et al., 2016; Buzik and Emova,
2019; Gagai and Selezneva, 2016; Ermakov, Denisova and Kolenova, 2022; Ezin, 2018; Kolenova and
Gurtskoi, 2019; Suntsova and Faizova, 2018; Lima, et al., 2019, etc. ).
Thus, an analysis of the scientic literature allows us to conclude that the manifestations
of codependency are closely associated with early experiences and the emotional and personal
characteristics of individuals. Codependents often exhibit specic distortions in the cognitive, emotional,
and value-semantic domains, along with distinctive behavioral features. However, despite existing studies
on codependent behavior, there is a paucity of empirical research examining the motivational and personal
predictors of behavioral regulation in codependent women. Therefore, this article aims to investigate how
personality traits, approval motivations, and the level of empathy predict the behavioral regulation of
codependent women.
The hypothesis of the study is that personal characteristics, approval motivation, and the level
of empathy can determine the characteristics of the manifestation of aggressiveness, the formation of
various strategies of self-regulation, and preferences for strategies for cognitive regulation of emotions in
codependent women. Additionally, it is assumed that the level of codependency will vary depending on
motivational and personal characteristics.
Materials and Methods
Participants
The study involved 102 women aged 18 to 64 years (mean age 30.39 years) who are in a relationship
or related to an addict (alcoholism, drug addiction, non-chemical addictions). Including: 52 women who
are in a relationship or are related to an alcohol addict; 22 women who are in a relationship or related
to a drug addict; 28 women who are in a relationship or are related to non-chemical addicts (gambling,
smoking, interpersonal addiction, etc.).
Research methods
In order to study the psychological characteristics of the respondents, psychological testing was
carried out using the following methods: codependency Self-Inventory scale (CSIS; B. Weinhold, J.
Weinhold); questionnaire “Auto- and Aggression to others” (E.P. Ilyin); method “Diagnosis of the level
of empathy” (V. V. Boyko); Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (adapted by Yu.L.Khanin); The
questionnaire of cognitive regulation of emotions (Rasskazova E.I., Leonova A.B., Pluzhnikov I.V.) and
the questionnaire “Style of self-regulation of behavior” (Morosanova V.I.).
In order to collect socio-biographical data, a survey method was used: respondents were asked to
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Kolenova, A., et al. (2023). Personality traits, approval motivation, and empathy as predictors of cognitive regulation of emotions
and behavioral self-control in codependent women, International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and
Education (IJCRSEE), 11(2), 187-197.
indicate gender, age, describe the type of addiction and their relationship with the addict.
Procedure
The study was conducted in person in online format. Before the start of the study, the purpose of
the study was explained to the respondents. Personal data has been anonymized. The participation of
respondents was voluntary.
Statistical data analysis
To determine the correspondence of the empirical distribution to the normal law, the Shapiro-Wilk
test was used; to divide the sample into subgroups that differ in motivational and personal characteristics,
cluster analysis was used (k-means method); to study the signicance of differences in the selected
subgroups, the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used (as a posteriori analysis, a pairwise
comparison was carried out using the Dunn method). Statistical processing was carried out using the
JASP 0.16 software package.
Results
The initial data analysis revealed that the average indicators for the studied scales do not differ
from the average values given in the description of the psychological tests used. At the same time, the
standard deviation on some scales of personality traits, empathy, and approval motivation indicated a
signicant spread of values within the sample. In this regard, at the second stage, the procedure for
clustering the sample according to the studied indicators was carried out. To level the differences in
scales of different methods, the clustering procedure was preceded by the translation of empirical values
of the Big Five questionnaire (B5-10), Social Desirability Scale and the “Diagnostics of the level of
empathy” questionnaire into standard z-scores. The number of clusters was chosen based on the results
of preliminary calculations. Using cluster analysis (k-means clustering) 4 clusters that differ signicantly in
the scales of personality traits, empathy, and approval motivation were identied. The rst cluster included
21 women (mean age 25.14 years), the second - 11 women (mean age 30.45 years), the third - 35 women
(mean age 32.77 years), the fourth - 35 women (mean age 31.14 years).
Figure 1. Clusters means for the studied indicators
The analysis revealed signicant differences in the average z-scores of the studied indicators
among the identied clusters (see Figure 1). Respondents included in cluster 1 exhibit high scores on
the scales of neuroticism, openness to experience and demonstrate a high level of empathy. Cluster
2 has low agreeableness and conscientiousness, as well as average indicators of extraversion and
need for ap-proval. Cluster 3 respondents are closer to the introversion pole, have reduced levels of
empathy, need for approval, and relatively high levels of neuroticism. Cluster 4 showed low values of
neuroticism and openness to experience, low empathy, increased values of extraversion, agreeableness,
conscientiousness and need for approval.
Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that all variables signicantly contributed to the clustering
of the sample (Table 1).
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Kolenova, A., et al. (2023). Personality traits, approval motivation, and empathy as predictors of cognitive regulation of emotions
and behavioral self-control in codependent women, International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and
Education (IJCRSEE), 11(2), 187-197.
Table 1
Results of cluster analysis (analysis of variance (ANOVA))
Legend: SS (Sum of Squares) shows the sum of the squared deviations of the cluster means from the total mean; МS
(Mean Square) shows the between-group variance which is equal to the result of division of SS by the degrees of freedom
number; as this number is equal to the number of clusters minus 1, in this case SS=MS; Fisher’s F-test is the indicator of the
correctness of cluster discrimination; p – p-value.
To assess the signicance of differences in the severity of behavioral regulation indicators among
the selected clusters of codependent women, a comparative analysis was conducted (see Table 2). Prior
to the analysis, a preliminary test was conducted to examine the distribution of data on the studied scales
in the overall sample and within each cluster. The results indicated that the empirical distribution mostly
deviated from normality, necessitating the use of the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test to investigate
differences between the clusters.
Table 2
Mean scores and the results of the analysis of differences in regulation indicators of the codependent
women behavior in clusters
Analyzing the average values, it can be observed that within the rst cluster, the “exibility” strategy
of self-regulation is most prominent (cluster mean: 17.86). In the second cluster, the most notable strategies
are “exibility” (cluster mean: 16.55) and “independence” (cluster mean: 16.64). The third cluster exhibits
a prominent “assessment of results” strategy (cluster mean: 17.06), while the fourth cluster demonstrates
a higher emphasis on the “programming” (cluster mean: 18.46) and “exibility” (cluster mean: 18.46)
strategies.
Regarding cognitive emotion regulation strategies, the analysis revealed that the rst cluster exhibits
pronounced tendencies towards self-blame (cluster mean: 14.38), rumination (cluster mean: 14.95), focus
on planning (cluster mean: 14.09), and positive reappraisal (cluster mean: 14.57). In the second cluster,
the most prominent strategies are acceptance (cluster mean: 14.18) and focus on planning (cluster mean:
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Kolenova, A., et al. (2023). Personality traits, approval motivation, and empathy as predictors of cognitive regulation of emotions
and behavioral self-control in codependent women, International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and
Education (IJCRSEE), 11(2), 187-197.
14.27). The third cluster shows a notable inclination towards positive reappraisal (cluster mean: 14.09),
while the fourth cluster also demonstrates a higher tendency for positive reappraisal (cluster mean: 16.06).
In analyzing the signicance of differences between the identied clusters, it was observed that
signicant distinctions were found in the scales of codependence, self-aggression, aggression towards
others, and strategies of self-regulation such as planning, modeling, and programming. Furthermore,
signicant differences were observed in the general indicator of self-regulation, as well as in the strategies
of rumination and catastrophization (Kruskal-Wallis Test; p < 0.05).
Then, for a more detailed analysis of the differences between the selected clusters, a posteriori
analysis was carried out by pairwise comparison using the Dunn method.
Figure 2. Comparisons of indicators of aggression in codependent women between clusters
(Kruskal-Wallis test; p < 0.003)
Legend: * indicates the level of signicance of the pairwise comparison results according to Dunn’s method (* - pholm
< 0.05; ** - pholm < 0.01; *** - pholm < 0.001).
Comparison of self-aggression and aggression towards others revealed a consistent pattern of
increasing indicators from the fourth cluster to the rst (Figure 2). In pairwise comparisons, the level of
self-aggression was signicantly higher in the rst cluster compared to the third (pholm < 0.007) and the
fourth (pholm < 0.001) clusters. Similarly, the level of aggression towards others was higher in the rst
cluster compared to the fourth cluster (pholm < 0.004). Additionally, there were differences in the level
of aggression towards others between the second and fourth clusters (pholm < 0.017). These ndings
indicate that the highest levels of both types of aggression are observed in the rst and second clusters.
Figure 3. Comparisons of indicators of self-control in codependent women between clusters
(Kruskal-Wallis test; p < 0.015)
Legend: * indicates the level of signicance of the pairwise comparison results according to Dunn’s method (* - pholm
< 0.05; ** - pholm < 0.01; *** - pholm < 0.001).
Comparison of indicators of behavioral self-control revealed that the highest level of self-regulation
is observed in the third and fourth clusters (Figure 3). In pairwise comparisons, signicant differences were
primarily found between the rst and fourth clusters (pholm < 0.05). The second and third clusters showed
a signicant difference on the programming scale (pholm < 0.007), while the third and rst clusters differed
signicantly on the modeling scale (pholm < 0.048). The second cluster exhibited signicant differences
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Kolenova, A., et al. (2023). Personality traits, approval motivation, and empathy as predictors of cognitive regulation of emotions
and behavioral self-control in codependent women, International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and
Education (IJCRSEE), 11(2), 187-197.
with the fourth cluster in planning (pholm < 0.021), programming (pholm < 0.001), and the general level
of self-regulation (pholm < 0.002).
Comparison of indicators of cognitive strategies of emotion regulation showed that the highest level
of the strategy of rumination and catostrophization was signicantly more often observed in the rst and
second clusters (Figure 4). Cluster four showed most differences in pairwise comparisons. Within this
subgroup, the level of self-accusation (pholm < 0.05), rumination (pholm < 0.05), and catastrophization
(pholm < 0.01) was signicantly lower compared to the rst cluster. When compared to the third cluster,
signicant differences were observed in positive reappraisal (pholm < 0.05) and catastrophization (pholm
< 0.05), while in comparison to the second cluster, there was a signicant difference in catastrophization
(pholm < 0.05). Furthermore, signicant differences in the severity of catastrophization were noted
between the rst and third clusters (pholm < 0.05).
Figure 4. Comparisons of cognitive strategies for emotion regulation in codependent women
between clusters (Kruskal-Wallis test; signicant differences and trends; p < 0.05 and p < 0.06)
Legend: * indicates the level of signicance of the pairwise comparison results according to Dunn’s method (* - pholm
< 0.05; ** - pholm < 0.01; *** - pholm < 0.001).
When comparing the levels of codependency, it was observed that there is a consistent pattern of
increasing codependence from the fourth cluster to the rst (Figure 5). In pairwise comparisons, the fourth
cluster exhibited the largest number of differences, including at a trending level, indicating the lowest level
of codependency.
Figure 5. Comparisons of indicators of codependency in codependent women between clusters
(Kruskal-Wallis test; p < 0.003)
Legend: * indicates the level of signicance of the pairwise comparison results according to Dunn’s method (* - pholm
< 0.05; ** - pholm < 0.01; *** - pholm < 0.001).
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193
Kolenova, A., et al. (2023). Personality traits, approval motivation, and empathy as predictors of cognitive regulation of emotions
and behavioral self-control in codependent women, International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and
Education (IJCRSEE), 11(2), 187-197.
The results largely indicate that the behavior of codependent women is inuenced by differences in
personality traits, empathy, and motivation.
In Cluster 1, respondents exhibit high scores on the scales of neuroticism and openness to experience,
and they demonstrate a high level of empathy. In this cluster, there are elevated levels of self-aggression
(above average) and the aggression towards others (both low and high values with a large spread).
Autoaggression surpasses the aggression towards others, indicating a prevalence of destructive coping
strategies. Furthermore, higher levels of self-accusation and rumination also suggest a predominance
of destructive coping mechanisms. The self-regulation strategy exibility is also notably present, which,
in conjunction with reduced self-regulation indicators, may indicate a tendency to conform and adapt to
meet other people’s expectations or societal stereotypes of “normality.” Comparatively, Cluster 1 exhibits
higher levels of self-blame, rumination, catastrophization, and codependency. It is possible that having an
addict in their lives provides them with a sense of personal signicance and necessity, or there may be
a pronounced fear of abandonment. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that Cluster 4 comprises the youngest
participants, with an average age of 25.14 years. This observation may suggest that their regulatory
processes are not yet fully developed or that such behavioral patterns are characteristic of individuals who
grew up in families affected by addiction.
Cluster 2 comprises individuals with low agreeableness and conscientiousness, as well as reduced
extraversion and need for approval. In this cluster, there are average levels of self-aggression and elevated
levels of the aggression towards others. The most prominent self-regulation strategies observed are
exibility and independence, along with acceptance and focus on planning. Compared to other clusters,
Cluster 2 exhibits the lowest levels of self-blame and rumination, a relatively high level of codependence,
and the lowest level of self-regulation. These characteristics suggest a somewhat self-centered (potentially
narcissistic) and highly functional prole, with a tendency for manipulation, impulsiveness, and ambivalent
behavior patterns. Maintaining a sense of control may be crucial for individuals in this cluster, and the
addict may serve the purpose of preserving their high self-esteem by being easily manipulated and
providing emotional validation.
Respondents in Cluster 3 lean towards introversion, display reduced levels of empathy and need
for approval, and relatively high levels of neuroticism. They exhibit average levels of autoaggression and
elevated levels of aggression towards others. Notably, they demonstrate a reasonably high level of self-
regulation in their behavior and display self-assessment skills regarding the outcomes of their actions.
In challenging situations, they tend to maintain a positive outlook, even in the face of genuinely negative
events. Compared to other clusters, Cluster 3 has an increased level of self-blame and a relatively low
level of codependence, suggesting some isolation, passivity, and possibly emotional exhaustion or a lack
of resources for more proactive forms of behavior regulation. Given that this cluster has a somewhat older
average age (32.77 years) than the others, it can be inferred that this behavior pattern is typical for parents
of addicts (where self-accusation prevails) or women who have been in co-dependent relationships for
an extended period (in which case, they may lack the resources or may be held back by pronounced
self-blame).
Cluster 4 exhibits low values of neuroticism and openness to experience, low empathy levels,
and increased levels of extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and need for approval.
Respondents in this group demonstrate quite constructive strategies for self-regulation and regulation of
emotions (programming, exibility, and positive reassessment). They predominantly have low values of
autoaggression and aggression towards others. In comparison with other clusters, they have a lower level
of self-blame, rumination, and catastrophization, a lower level of codependency, and a high level of self-
regulation. This indicates a certain “front” of being, an orientation towards maintaining a certain image,
conformity with external norms, and social stereotypes. A high level of self-regulation suggests that they
successfully cope with the peculiarities of living with an addict, which makes their perception of a difcult
situation less vivid and probably reduces the motivation to leave such a relationship.
Discussions
The described results of the study demonstrate the importance of personal characteristics,
motivation, and empathy not only in the severity of codependency but also in the manifestation of
aggression and behavior regulation in codependent women.
Overall, the behavioral regulation features observed in the clusters align with existing concepts and
classications of codependent behavior found in professional literature, including the Sharon Wegscheider-
Cruse classication (Stryapukhina, 2021; Kupchenko, 2020; Rozhnova, et al., 2020; Kolenova and
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Kolenova, A., et al. (2023). Personality traits, approval motivation, and empathy as predictors of cognitive regulation of emotions
and behavioral self-control in codependent women, International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and
Education (IJCRSEE), 11(2), 187-197.
Gurtskoy, 2019; Tasheva and Bedredinova, 2016; Artemtseva, 2012). However, the identied clusters
offer a fresh perspective on the relationship between personal characteristics and behavioral regulation,
as well as provide insights into the role of motivation and empathy in the adaptation mechanism within
codependent relationships.
A comparative analysis of the selected clusters revealed signicant differences in self-aggression
and aggression towards others, which somewhat contradicts previous ndings that suggest a strong
association between codependency severity and self-aggression (Buzik and Emova, 2019; Perminova,
2017; Merinov, et al., 2015). Our study shows that auto-aggression is not a universal descriptive
characteristic of codependent behavior and it is not present in some specic groups of codependents.
Studies on coping mechanisms of codependents emphasize the prevalence of dysfunctional
attitudes, including catastrophizing and self-blaming responses (Happ, et al., 2022; Kupchenko, 2020;
Politika, 2020). However, our ndings reveal a variety of coping strategies, indicating a more diverse
coping mechanisms. Strategies such as self-blame, rumination, and catastrophization are not present
in all clusters, with some clusters predominantly exhibiting strategies considered constructive in the
literature. The level of self-regulation also varies and is not universally reduced across all groups.
The limitation of this study is in the sample size, which restricts further differentiation and clarication
of the effects of age factors and the nature of the relationship with the addict. Future research should aim
to expand the sample size and consider the nature of the relationship with the addict, as well as factors
such as self-relationship, basic beliefs, and the severity of depressive symptoms in code-pendent women.
Conclusions
The objective of this study was to comprehensively examine the inuence of personality traits,
approval motivation, and empathy level on the behavioral regulation of codependent women.
The analysis of the obtained results leads to the conclusion that personal characteristics, approval
motivation, and empathy level can serve as predictors of codependency severity, aggressiveness
manifestation, formation of self-regulation strategies, and preference for cognitive emotion regulation
strategies in codependent women. Specically, it was observed that codependent women in Cluster 1,
characterized by high levels of neuroticism, openness to experience, and empathy, exhibit the highest
levels of auto-aggression. They also demonstrate a high degree of regulatory exibility, although their
overall level of self-regulation is reduced. Furthermore, a wide range of emotion regulation strategies
was observed within this cluster. In comparison with other clusters, these individuals exhibit higher levels
of self-blame, rumination, catastrophization, and codependence. Codependent women in Cluster 2,
characterized by low levels of friendliness, conscientiousness, and need for approval, also display a
variety of regulatory mechanisms. However, their behavior tends to be more manipulative and shows
aggressive tendencies. Cluster 3 comprises introverted codependent women with reduced levels of
empathy, need for approval, and relatively high neuroticism. They demonstrate a fairly high level of self-
regulation in their behavior and possess the ability to accurately assess the discrepancy between their
goals and the obtained results. They employ both constructive and destructive strategies for emotion
regulation. Codependents in Cluster 4, characterized by elevated levels of extraversion, agreea-bleness,
conscientiousness, and need for approval, demonstrate the most constructive strategies for self-regulation
and emotion regulation. They possess a high overall level of self-regulation and exhibit less propensity for
auto-aggression and self-blame.
The ndings of this study have practical implications in psychological practice, particularly in the
development of effective intervention strategies and individualized programs aimed at assisting code-
pendents. Furthermore, these results can be utilized to identify risk factors associated with maladaptation
in codependents and to develop educational and outreach programs that increase awareness of
codependency and foster the development of behavior and emotion regulation skills.
Acknowledgements
The study was carried out at the expense of a grant from the Russian Scientic Foundation No. 21-
78-10139 (Psychological and genetic mechanisms of adaptive and maladaptive behavioral strategies and
value-semantic predictors of codependency in women (alcohol, drug, gaming addictions)), https://rscf.ru/
project/21-78-10139/ at the Southern Federal University.
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Kolenova, A., et al. (2023). Personality traits, approval motivation, and empathy as predictors of cognitive regulation of emotions
and behavioral self-control in codependent women, International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and
Education (IJCRSEE), 11(2), 187-197.
Author Contributions
A. K. conceived of the idea, determined and veried the research methods, managed the data
collection, reviewed and edited the nal version of the manuscript. E. D. conducted a theoretical analysis
of the problem, performed statistical analysis, translated and edited the nal version of the manuscript.
A. K. participated a theoretical analysis of the problem, participated in the data collection and discussion
the results. P.E. participated a theoretical analysis of the problem, oversaw the organization of the study,
reviewed and edited the nal version of the manuscript. All authors discussed the results and contributed
to the nal manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Conict of interests
The authors declare no conict of interest.
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