Predictors of Cinderella Syndrome and Wendy Syndrome in Women: Attachment Styles and Differentiation of Self

Abstract

Through the fairy tale heroes, beautiful woman image, mother image, independent woman image, and passive woman image are created. While Cinderella syndrome is a concept which is used to define woman who fear from being independent, Wendy syndrome describes women who acted as mother to their husbands or people close to them. The aim of this research is to examine the relationships between Cinderella Syndrome, Wendy Syndrome, attachment styles and differentiation of self in women. 521 adult women between 18 and 65 ages completed the questionnaire including Cinderella Syndrome Scale, Wendy Syndrome Scale, Three Dimensional Attachment Styles Scale and Discrimination of Self Scale. Results revealed that there is a positive and significant correlation between Cinderella Syndrome and Wendy Syndrome. Wendy Syndrome, differentiation of self and avoidant attachment variables, respectively, predicts Cinderella Syndrome in women. Wendy Syndrome is predicted by the variables of differentiation of self, Cinderella Syndrome and anxious/ambivalent attachment respectively. The study highlights predictors of Cinderella and Wendy Syndrome and makes important contributions to the relevant literature by providing a better understanding of Cinderella Syndrome and Wendy Syndrome in women. © 2024 The Author