Independence

An individual's relative freedom from the felt-need for positive response. That is, the independent person is one who does not often feel the need to rely on others for emotional support, encouragement, reassurance, comfort, and so forth. Emotionally healthy individuals are able to make these bids from time to time as needed. The important issue is how often and how intensely they feel the need for such positive response. Independence is distinguished in PARTheory from self-reliance. (See dependence; defensive independence; personality subtheory)