FEMALE EMOTIONAL DEPENDENCE IN HETEROSEXUAL MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS

Abstract

This study addresses female emotional dependency in heterosexual marital relationships. This psychosocial phenomenon encompasses the manifestation of dysfunctional bonds that contribute to cycles of violence against women, compromising their mental health. Its objective was to analyze the factors and consequences that contribute to the maintenance of female emotional dependency bonds in heteronormative marital relationships. To this end, a methodology parameterized from a systematic review of mixed epistemology (quantitative and qualitative) was used, with searches in the indexes: SciELO and Google Scholar, focusing on the period between 2016 and 2026. This allowed the selection of 9 published articles, whose information was extracted and analyzed using Bardin's content analysis method, in light of Bowlby's Attachment Theory. The results indicated that emotional dependency is associated with insecure-anxious attachment patterns formed in childhood, which give rise to low self-esteem and a constant need for validation. Intermittent reinforcement cycles and idealization of the partner hinder the breaking of the abusive bond; therefore, this reality requires urgent professional qualification in Psychology, the promotion of public policies that foster female autonomy, the strengthening of support networks, and research in Brazilian regions to further explore the topic.