overdependence

Overdependence refers to an excessive reliance on another person, group, system, or resource to meet needs or resolve problems, to the point where autonomy, resilience, or everyday functioning may be compromised. It can occur in individuals within intimate relationships and families, in caregiving dynamics, in workplace or institutional settings, and in relationships with technology or services. Although some interdependence is normal and adaptive, overdependence involves asymmetrical reliance that limits the ability to act independently or to adapt to changing circumstances.

Causes and contributing factors include insecure attachment, learned coping strategies that reward dependency, fear of uncertainty or abandonment, and social or cultural expectations that discourage self-sufficiency. Enabling behaviors by others or systems, transient life stresses, and limited access to skills or resources can reinforce overdependence. In organizational or economic contexts, overreliance on a single supplier, technology platform, or business model can create a similar vulnerability and reduce resilience.

Consequences can include diminished self-efficacy, reduced problem-solving capacity, strained relationships, and increased vulnerability to manipulation or disruption when the relied-on source fails. Conversely, recognizing healthy interdependence—reciprocity, boundaries, and shared responsibility—helps maintain resilience. Management approaches emphasize building autonomy and skills, setting clear boundaries, and providing support that encourages independent thinking. In systems and organizations, diversification, redundancies, and cross-training reduce single points of failure and bolster resilience.