<![CDATA[Abstract. Emotional dependency is a relational pattern characterized by an excessive need for a romantic partner, which places early adult women at risk of low well-being, jealousy, and even susceptibility to intimate partner violence. Attachment has consistently been identified as one of the main antecedents of this pattern, while self-compassion has recently emerged as a candidate protective factor. This study aims to review existing research on the relationship between attachment and emotional dependency, and the role of self-compassion within that relationship, among early adult women, using a narrative review approach. Eleven empirical and review articles published between 2018 and 2025 that met the inclusion criteria were examined. The findings indicate that insecure attachment particularly anxious/preoccupied and fearful attachment consistently predicts higher emotional dependency, while secure attachment is associated with healthier relational patterns. Emotional dependency, in turn, is linked to negative consequences such as addictive behaviors, tolerance of intimate partner violence, and lower life satisfaction. Self-compassion shows a moderating role, buffering the psychological impact of insecure attachment and emotional dependency, as well as contributing directly to improved relationship satisfaction. These findings suggest that self-compassion is a promising component for psychological interventions aimed at reducing maladaptive emotional dependency in early adult women. Abstrak. Emotional dependency (ketergantungan emosional) merupakan pola relasional yang ditandai dengan kebutuhan berlebihan terhadap pasangan romantis, yang menempatkan wanita dewasa awal pada risiko rendahnya kesejahteraan, kecemburuan, hingga rentannya mengalami kekerasan dalam pacaran/pasangan. Attachment secara konsisten diidentifikasi sebagai salah satu anteseden utama pola ini, sementara self-compassion belakangan muncul sebagai kandidat faktor protektif. Studi ini bertujuan untuk meninjau penelitian terkait hubungan antara attachment dan emotional dependency, serta peran self-compassion di dalamnya, pada wanita dewasa awal, melalui pendekatan narrative review. Sebelas artikel ilmiah dan tinjauan yang dipublikasikan antara 2018–2025 dan memenuhi kriteria inklusi ditelaah dalam kajian ini. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahwa attachment tidak aman khususnya tipe cemas/preokupasi dan takut (fearful) secara konsisten memprediksi tingkat emotional dependency yang lebih tinggi, sementara attachment aman berkaitan dengan pola relasi yang lebih sehat. Emotional dependency, pada gilirannya, berkaitan dengan konsekuensi negatif seperti perilaku adiktif, toleransi terhadap kekerasan dalam hubungan, serta rendahnya kepuasan hidup. Self-compassion menunjukkan peran moderasi, meredam dampak psikologis dari attachment tidak aman dan emotional dependency, serta berkontribusi secara langsung terhadap peningkatan kepuasan hubungan. Temuan ini menunjukkan bahwa self-compassion merupakan komponen yang menjanjikan bagi intervensi psikologis untuk mengurangi emotional dependency yang maladaptif pada wanita dewasa awal.]]>
