Description

The Spouse Enabling Inventory (SEI) is a diagnostic tool designed to assess the enabling behaviors of a spouse or partner toward an individual with addictive or problematic behaviors, such as substance use, gambling, or other destructive habits. Enabling refers to actions or attitudes that, although often well-intentioned, facilitate or allow the continuation of the problematic behavior of the other person.

Analysis

The Spouse Enabling Inventory includes various questions that cover the following dimensions:
Emotional Support: Questions examining the extent to which the spouse provides emotional support that may reinforce the problematic behavior.
Material Support: Evaluation of financial or other material assistance that may facilitate the continuation of the problematic behavior.
Tolerance and Excuses: Questions about the spouse’s tendency to tolerate or justify the partner’s problematic behavior.
Control Efforts: Assessment of the spouse’s attempts to control or limit the partner’s behavior in ways that may be ineffective or harmful.
Social Consequences: Questions examining how the spouse’s behaviors affect social relationships and family dynamics.

Objective

The main objectives of the Spouse Enabling Inventory are:
Assessment of Enabling Behaviors: To identify and evaluate the spouse’s enabling behaviors that may contribute to the continuation of the partner’s problematic behavior.
Awareness and Education: To help spouses understand how their actions may influence the situation and to educate them on more effective ways of providing support.
Guidance for Therapeutic Interventions: To provide data for developing and tailoring interventions aimed at reducing enabling behaviors and promoting positive change.
Monitoring Progress: To be used for monitoring the progress of spouses and partners during therapy or intervention.

Scoring

Scoring of the Spouse Enabling Inventory is based on the spouse’s responses to each question, which are typically rated on a Likert scale (e.g., from “Never” to “Always”). The total score is derived from summing the responses to the questions associated with each dimension. The scores are used to determine the frequency and intensity of the spouse’s enabling behaviors.

References

Beattie, M. Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself. Hazelden Publishing. 1986.
Subby, R. Co-Dependency: An Emerging Issue. ERIC Clearinghouse on Counseling and Personnel Services. 1984.
Whitfield, C.L. Co-Dependence: Healing the Human Condition. Health Communications, Inc. 1991.
Wegscheider-Cruse, S. Another Chance: Hope and Health for the Alcoholic Family. Science and Behavior Books. 1981.