Which type of child is likely to become overly dependent on their mother?

The answer is rooted in Adlerian theory, which emphasizes the importance of birth order in shaping personality and behavior. Only children are often more likely to become overly dependent on their mother because they do not have siblings to share attention and resources with. Their primary relationship tends to develop more exclusively with their parents, particularly the mother, leading to a heightened sense of attachment.

In the context of Adlerian psychology, the dynamics of being the sole focus of parental attention can foster dependency traits. Only children often receive undivided attention from their parents, which may lead them to rely heavily on that relationship for emotional support and validation, resulting in difficulties in developing independence as they grow.

In contrast, other birth order positions, such as the youngest child or the middle child, often experience different dynamics where sharing attention with siblings may encourage independence or competition. The oldest child may also take on leadership and caretaker roles, which can foster independence rather than dependency.