Substance use disorders affect not only the identified client but significant others as well. This article contrasts the enabling and codependency constructs, reviews empirical studies of enabling, and offers a conceptualization of partner responses to addiction that could enhance future research efforts and clinical applications in this area. (BF)

Characteristics such as prematurity, illegitimacy, handicaps, or behavior deviations have been found with high frequency in abused children. Aggressive/coercive behavior may be typical of child rearing techniques in abusing families who tend to be socially isolated and experience environmental stress. Investigators must interpret such factors with…

Investigated families of children with internalized versus externalized symptoms according to linear and curvilinear conceptions of circumplex model. It was hypothesized that externalized symptoms would result in family being classified as chaotic and disengaged, whereas internalized symptoms would result in being classified as rigid and enmeshed.…