Date of Award
7-2025
Document Type
Capstone Project
Degree Name
Psychology, BA, BS
School
CAS
Department
McNair Scholars Program
Faculty Advisor
Lacey Hilliard, PhD
Abstract
This qualitative study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore the lived experiences of codependency among four young adults (ages 21–24) who had recently exited a codependent romantic relationship. Through in-depth interviews, themes around emotional enmeshment, identity loss, boundary erosion, emotional suppression, and healing were found. Findings indicate that early attachment patterns, trauma, and socialization intersect with emotional vulnerability and self-worth to create conditions ripe for codependent dynamics. Participants describe both the psychological toll of these relationships and the personal growth that followed. These insights contribute to the limited literature on young adult codependency and may inform prevention and intervention efforts in counseling and mental health support.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Recommended Citation
Soares, Amanda S., "The Experience of Codependency in Young Adult Romantic Relationships" (2025). Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects. 46.
https://dc.suffolk.edu/undergrad/46
Included in
Developmental Psychology Commons, Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence Commons, Social Psychology Commons