Çocukluk döneminde ailesinin ihtiyaçlarını kendi ihtiyaçlarından önde tutan çocuklar ebeveynleşerek benzer ilişki örüntülerini yetişkinlik dönemine taşıyabilir ve eş bağımlılık özellikleri gösterebilir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, ebeveynleşme ve eş bağımlılık a

Children who prioritize the needs of their family over their own needs during childhood may have parentification, carry similar relationship patterns into adulthood, and show co-dependency characteristics. This study examines the mediating role of self-differentiation in the relationship between parentification and co-dependency. The study subjects were 384 individuals aged 18–25. The participants were reached using the snowball sampling method. Data were collected through the Sociodemographic Information Form, Co-dependency Assessment Tool, Self-Differentiation Scale, and Parentification Scale. The Independent Sample T-test, Pearson Correlation Analysis, and Process Macro Model 4 were used in data analysis. According to the findings of the study, individuals experienced co-dependency at similar levels according to gender. The co-dependency scores are positively related to sibling-focused and parent-focused parentification. However, co-dependency scores negatively correlated with self-differentiation scores. Moreover, sibling-focused parentification and parent-focused parentification were negatively related to self-differentiation. Self-differentiation scores mediated the relationship between both parent-focused parentification and co-dependency and sibling-focused parentification and co-dependency. In conclusion, there is a risk that parentification experiences may lead to co-dependency, and preventive interventions must focus on increasing the individual’s level of self-differentiation to reduce this risk.