Maladaptive Dynamics

Help seeking/help rejecting

• Asksforassistancethenrejectsit,explainingwhyitwon’t work

• Seeninrelationshipswithpowerdifferential

• Negativeoutcomes:frustration,decreasedparticipationof

help-seeker

Competitive

• Togaininterpersonalneedorresource

• Seeninsiblings,friends,peers

• Negativeoutcomes:decreasedself-esteemfortheoneatloss

Enabline Negative behavior

• Facilitateorsupportnegativeorpotentiallyharmfulbehavior of another

o Inability to show disapproval or limit behavior

• Negativeoutcome:continuingorworseningbehavior

Dominance/submission

• Nondemocratic,consistentoppressionofonebyanother

• Seeninrelationshipswithabusivepowerdifferential,

caregiving roles

• Negativeoutcome:passivity,vulnerability,learned

helplessness, or feelings of low self-worth

Enmeshment

• Expectationofconformityofworldviews,behaviors,and decision-making among group

• Fierceloyalty,withdownplayedindividuality

• Negativeoutcomes:difficultyestablishingrapport,angstand

resentment, dependence

Disengagement

• Littlecontactandsharingofinformation

• Negativeoutcomes:lackofcloseness&loyalty,isolation&

disappointment

o Worst: neglect

Approach/avoidance

• Onedesiresintensecontact,thenotherwithdraws o Can also occur within the same person

• Negativeoutcomes:lackoftrust,unpredictability,feeling smothered or abandoned

Idealizing/devaluing

• Positiveandnegativecharacteristicsareexaggeratedand denied alternately

• Negativeoutcomes:discomfort,infuriation

Reluctance/reassurance

• Oneisconstantlyanxious,skeptical,self-doubting

• Otherreliablyprovidescomfortandencouragement

• Negativeoutcomes:Lowintrinsicmotivation,psychological

dependence

Demonstrative/voyeuristic

• Onedramatizesreactionsorhardshipstoreceivevalidation

• Otheronlywatchesorlistensforentertainment

• Negativeoutcomes:Lackofprogress,eventualrealizationthat

voyeur is enjoying

Helpless/rescuing

• Onerecruitsevenwhennotnecessary

• Othersrushtoassistwithoutrecognizingbehavioris

maladaptive

• Negativeoutcomes:Increaseddependenceforhelpless,

eventual anxiety & resentment for rescuer

Chaotic/organizing

• Oneisundisciplined,emotional,lackingself-control

• Otherscontinuallycompensate

• Negativeoutcomes:powerstruggle,intensificationofchaotic

behavior

Manipulating/conceding

• Onegiveswhattheotherlikesonlyinsmalldoes,but expecting reciprocation by gratifying needs

• Othersconcedeoutofguilt,obligation

• Negativeoutcomes:failuretoacceptlimitsandaskhelp

directly for manipulator, failure to set limits, anger & resentment for manipulated

Scapegoating

• Twoormoreindividualscolludetoinfluence,criticize,or subjugate another

• Familiesagainstone,therapistsallyingwithaclientover another

• Negativeoutcomes:Feelingofbeing‘gangedupon’