negative most-significant-other

The most-significant-other—e.g., spouse, parent, child—who has a negative influence on a person through a deprecating attitude, etc. A person’s link to a negative most-significant-other is often a relationship ‘required’ by blood, marital affiliation, or employment

negative most-significant-other

Psychology The most-significant-other–eg, spouse, parent, child who has a negative influence on a person through a deprecating attitude, negative comments, and general kvetching; a person's link to a NMSO is often a relationship 'required' by blood, marital affiliation, or employment. See Most-significant-other. Cf Positive most-significant-other.