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Independence is something that caregivers are supposed to teach and foster in their children in order to support their self-sufficiency into adulthood. In healthy caregiver-child relationships, there is a balance where the parent or caregiver gives (teaches, models) and the child takes (learns, imitates). This form of modeling and imitation helps support and guide a child’s autonomy.

However, independence can become extreme for some who grew up experiencing a role reversal between their caregiver and themselves, which is commonly seen in narcissistic or enmeshed families. In these situations, independence can veer into unhealthy hyper-independence, often as a response to past trauma.

What is Parentification?

Parentification is a form of childhood trauma where there is a role reversal that happens between the primary caregiver and the child. In parentified children, the parent imposes their unmet emotional, physical, or psychological needs onto the child.

A common outcome of parentification is that the child becomes an adult who is hyper-independent as a result of traumatic or challenging events experienced in childhood. These may have included parental divorce, substance abuse in the family, violence, poverty, or serious immaturity or irresponsibility in the parent.

For example, narcissistic parents who bully or make unrealistic demands on their kids can be conditioning their child to become an overachiever, fiercely independent, and equally harsh on themselves in their adult lives. The child may become an adult who believes they cannot make a mistake, must be “perfect,” and cannot rely on anyone but themselves.

Similarly, a caregiver who suffers from mental illness such as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder may be impulsive, reckless, or irresponsible with their finances or their relationships. This can condition a child to be hyper-vigilant, and take on the role of protecting or caring for their parent, or getting a job to put food on the table. Fast-forward into their adult life and they may suffer from anxiety, anger problems, or depression.

Effects of Parentification

• Enmeshment between family members, especially with primary caregivers
• Child plays the role of caregiver or parent “therapist”
• Role reversals (cooking, cleaning, caring for parent/caregiver)
• Family (parental/caregiver) mental illness
• Difficulty asking for help
• May have a more avoidant attachment style
• Emotionally dismissive or “toxic positivity”
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Difficulty trusting others
• Workaholism
• Perfectionism
• Tense, or an inability to relax
• Self-blame
• Struggles with emotional intimacy in romantic relationships
• May prefer to be alone than with a romantic partner
• Relationships and close proximity may trigger feelings of engulfment

Healing from Hyper-Independence

The impact of parentification often continues into our adult lives, where the effects can manifest as hyper-independence. This has the potential for negative effects on the quality of a person’s life and their relationships.

For example, a staunch refusal to accept help in the workplace may put a person at risk for taking on tasks they don’t know how to do or that are not in their job description, which can lead to making mistakes and risking job security. In romantic relationships, hyper-independence often comes across as dismissive, avoidant, or with communication breakdowns between partners, adding anxiety and undue stress to the relationship.

Because many who experience symptoms of hyper-independence felt helpless or “trapped” in a parental role in their childhood, it’s important that they first recognize how past trauma may be affecting their romantic relationship.

Address Trust Issues

People who experienced childhood trauma or are living with hyper-independence can struggle in trusting whether others in their life are reliable, which can reinforce their fierce independence. By talking with your partner and letting them know what you need (time, support, encouragement), trusting them can become more comfortable in time.

Recognize Your Partner’s Attachment Style

Many who are hyper-independent have developed a more avoidant attachment style due to childhood trauma. This can predispose them to attract partners with an anxious attachment style, which may create codependency in the relationship. It’s important to learn your unique attachment style (and the common behavior patterns associated with it), along with your partner’s attachment style in order to minimize the chance of developing a codependent relationship.

Allow for Vulnerability

Safe relationships are those that tap into your basic needs to feel seen, heard, respected, and know that the people in your life are consistent, reliable, and predictable. By focusing on where your unmet basic needs are and on feeling comfortable expressing this to your partner, you can increase a sense of connection and emotional vulnerability between you, which can foster interdependence.