Early memories, object relations, and current relationship functioning

This study examined the relationship between dependency themes in 140 inpatients' early childhood memories (EM) and social interactions involving dependent behavior. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that the type of dependent EM predicted overt behavior above and beyond demographic and diagnostic categories. Patients expressing clinging dependent themes in their narratives had greater involvement in social activities in the therapeutic community program and with nurses, whereas patients expressing counterdependent themes engaged in more hostile interactions with nursing staff members, were more self-destructive, and had more emergency department admissions over the course of inpatient treatment. Results are considered in light of the clinical utility of EMs.