Comparison of Nursing and Mechanical Engineering Students’ Codependency Levels

Abstract

This study aims to determine and compare nursing students' and mechanical engineering students' codependency levels and the factors that affect codependency. This study is designed as a descriptivecomparative research. Data has been collected using an information form and the Codependency Assessment Tool (CODAT). Higher scores indicate higher levels of codependency. The sample consists of 283 undergraduate students who voluntarily participated in this study. The data has been evaluated in SPSS 11.5 using statistical tests such as frequency, mean, independent-samples t-test, and one-way ANOVA testing. Students' mean CODAT score was 51.89 (SD = 9.93). Students were found to have mild level codependency. No statistically significant difference was found to exist between total scale scores and gender, or between nursing students' and mechanical engineering students' total CODAT scores. However, mechanical engineering students had higher scores than nursing students for the hiding-self subscale. First-year students with a history of mental illness, being treated for mental illness, or current/previous alcohol or drug use who expressed having more familial problems have significantly higher scores. The results obtained from this study contribute to the literature on codependency in terms of the nature of and factors affecting codependency.

Childhood abuse, neglect, codependency, and affecting factors in nursing and child development students

“…It was determined that the mean total score in the CODAT of the students who participated in the study was 52.52 ± 13.52, and that in the sub‐dimensions, the highest mean score was in the hidden self sub‐dimension while the lowest mean was in the medical/psychosomatic problems sub‐dimension. In the study by Aktaş Özakgül et al (2017), it was found that the mean codependency scores of the students was moderate (51.89 + 9.93). The fact that the majority of members of the profession are women, professional practices are based on communication, and emotions are at the forefront facilitates the development of codependency, while the fact that it is a profession that requires being sensitive to and caring for someone else's needs is considered to increase the frequency of codependency (Ançel, 2012; Özdemir & Buzlu, 2020).…”

“…This result was considered to be due to the fact that child development is also a profession focused on helping just like nursing. Furthermore, similar results were also obtained in a study comparing the codependency levels of nursing and mechanical engineering students (Aktaş Özakgül et al, 2017). An individual who exhibits codependent personality traits may especially choose professions that are suitable for these personality traits and where he/she can be helpful and lifesaving.…”

“…It is argued that codependency behavior that develops due to being raised in problematic family environments affects the relationships, education and professional life of individuals during adulthood (Bacon et al, 2020). It is reported that a stressful environment in the family prevents the child's development of a healthy personality and causes the development of codependency (Aktaş Özakgül et al, 2017). In the study, it was found that the mean score in the CODAT of those who stated that they were neglected by their father was high ( p < 0.01).…”

“…It was determined that students who smoked 11–20 cigarettes a day and used alcohol had higher mean scores in the CODAT. In the study by Aktaş Özakgül et al (2017), it was found that participants with a history of alcohol or substance addiction had higher codependency scores compared to the scores of participants without a history of alcohol/substance. In the study by Chang (2018), it was determined that university students with more codependency traits had more psychological adjustment problems in terms of somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction and depression.…”

“…In the study, it was determined that students with high childhood traumatic experience scores also had high scores in the medical/psychosomatic problems and family of origin problems. In another study, it was determined that students who reported having good family relationships had lower mean scores in the subscales of low self‐worth, medical problems and family of origin problems, and mean scores of codependency (Aktaş Özakgül et al, 2017).…”