Predictors of codependency among university students: Need for social approval, psychological vulnerability, self love-self efficacy and childhood traumas

This study aims to examine the relationship between teacher candidates' level of codependency and variables thought to be associated with it, including the need for social approval, psychological vulnerability, self-love–self-efficacy, and childhood psychological traumas. Additionally, the study seeks to explore how these variables correlate with demographic characteristics such as gender, age, place of residence, parental education levels, relationships with parents, family, and friends, the presence of individuals in need of care in the family, and the existence of family members with alcohol or substance addiction. The sample consists of 533 teacher candidates aged 18 and above, studying at Amasya University Faculty of Education during the 2024–2025 academic year. Data were collected through both face-to-face and online methods. The data collection tools included a Personal Information Form, the Spann-Fischer Codependency Scale, the Need for Social Approval Scale, the Psychological Vulnerability Scale, the Two-Dimensional Self-Esteem Scale, and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-33). The data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 software. Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient was employed to measure the relationships between codependency and the variables of need for social approval, psychological vulnerability, self-love–self-efficacy, and childhood traumas. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine the predictive power of these variables on codependency. Independent samples t-test was used to assess whether these variables differed significantly by gender, presence of family members in need of care, and presence of individuals with alcohol or substance addiction. One-way ANOVA was employed to examine differences by age, year of study, place of residence, and parental education level. For multiple comparisons, Tukey's test was applied following ANOVA, and the Mann–Whitney U test was used after the Kruskal–Wallis test. The findings revealed significant relationships between codependency and the variables of need for social approval, psychological vulnerability, self-love–self-efficacy, and childhood traumas. It was concluded that the combination of need for social approval, psychological vulnerability, and self-love significantly predicted codependency. Furthermore, significant differences were observed in need for social approval and childhood trauma based on gender; in need for social approval based on place of residence; in psychological vulnerability based on the father's education level; and in all variables based on relationships with mother, father, family, and friends, and the presence of family members with alcohol or substance addiction. Childhood trauma also significantly differed based on the presence of individuals in need of care within the family. However, no significant differences were found in any variable based on age or the mother's education level. The findings obtained from the research were discussed within the framework of relevant literature. Keywords: codependency, need for social approval, psychological vulnerability, self love-self efficacy, childhood traumas