Emotional Independence & Dependence in Slavic Populations
By Maxim Kakurin

This project explores how cultural values in Slavic populations influence emotional independence and dependence. Many Slavic cultures emphasize emotional self-reliance, which can affect attachment styles and therapy outcomes. This resource provides counselors with a therapy worksheet tailored to Slavic clients, helping them navigate attachment and emotion regulation in a culturally sensitive manner. 

*Please open following worksheet with Google Docs for proper formatting

Resource Description

A big part of therapy is helping people understand themselves better, and for Slavic clients, that means looking at how cultural values shape emotional independence and dependence. In many Slavic cultures, people are taught from a young age to be emotionally strong and self-reliant. Asking for help isn’t always encouraged, and sometimes, relying on others can feel like a weakness instead of a normal part of being human. This worksheet is designed to help clients explore their personal experiences with emotional dependence and independence, while also helping counselors understand these cultural perspectives better.

The exercises in this worksheet guide clients through reflecting on their attachment styles, recognizing patterns from childhood, and figuring out what balance feels right for them. It also includes practical strategies for integrating healthier support-seeking behaviors without feeling like they’re giving up their independence. The goal isn’t to change someone’s values but to help them find ways to build strong relationships in a way that feels natural and culturally comfortable.

Research shows that when people shift from handling everything alone to relying more on others, it can strengthen their relationships and even improve therapy outcomes (Bar-Sella et al., 2024). Studies on Russian young adults also suggest that attachment to parents—especially mothers—plays a huge role in shaping future relationships (Sabelnikova et al., 2023). That’s why this worksheet focuses on both personal reflection and practical steps to help clients find a balance that works for them.

Counselors can use this resource to start conversations about attachment in a way that respects cultural norms while also opening up new possibilities for connection and support.

APA citations:

• • Bar-Sella, A., Sayda, D., Mansour, M., Nof, A., Hertz, U., & Zilcha-Mano, S. (2024). Changing attachment orientation: Uncovering the role of shifting the emotion regulation tendency. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 71(5), 402–414. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000750

  • Sabelnikova, N., Kashirsky, D., & Garvard, O. (2020). Attachment and Images of Parents and of the Romantic Partner of Russian Young Men and Women. Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland), 10(5), 87. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs10050087