Lol ok so I get this is insane and I am reading too deep into it BUT this fandom is dead so whatever. Jacob displays such strong traits of a child of an alcoholic/dysfunctional family. I don’t want to “headcanon” his family as alcoholics, but he really does fit the traits. Read more for my reasoning if you're so inclined.
Like, a lot of these can apply to him. Some would take a little extrapolation (that may be OOC to some and IC to others), but for the most part they fit. For example, trait 2 (b). He is undeniably an approval seeker. I mean, his existence is seeking approval. I don't even have to provide an example, just watch any episode he's in.
Trait 3 (c)— An example would be the scene where Melissa and her sister are arguing, and he runs out stuttering that he can’t handle arguments/conflict. He is certainly frightened by angry people and deeply uncomfortable, even afraid, in tense situations.
Trait 4 (d) — I don’t know if he’s a workaholic or it's just part of the young adult work/life balance learning experience to be so consumed by work he has nothing to share of his achievements/updates with Zach beyond Melissa’s new pet, but it could easily be counted as evidence towards some kind of compulsive workaholic behavior trend (obsessive). Now this is definitely a reach but him saying Zach is like his mom (in the context of repeating cycles) could also be evidence to the first part of this trait (you marry an alcoholic (or ACoA) or become one).
Trait 5 (e) — A lot of people on Reddit (lol) like to argue Jacob has some kind of victim mentality or at least sees the world from the POV of a victim. This one I'm not entirely sure if I agree on, though you could absolutely say his reaction to Caleb (automatically assuming Caleb was shit talking him) is an example of a victim mentality (assuming people are out to get you, hate you, are talking poorly about you, etc). Additionally, maybe there's something in the way he broke up with Zach that can be applied here. (When he later implies Caleb (and their family) made fun of him routinely in the past, that gives credence to why he would have this victim mentality. ACoAs have it for a reason.)
Trait 6 (f) — I’d say he does have an overdeveloped sense of responsibility for others. We can see it in how he treats RJ; how he gets obsessed with other people’s problems (he is always in everyone else's business: think the way he handles Janine's rent problem in season 2); the way he stands up for others (in a way taking responsibility for them), but not himself; how he “sacrifices” himself in Ringworm (this is a debatable example); his white savior complex; his (alleged) workaholicism; etc. And I would agree that allows him to avoid his own feelings, issues, etc. Having this trait would also contribute another reason to why he broke down when Caleb came as he’s been ignoring his personal issues for so long.
Trait 7 (g) — We see this inability to stand up for himself pretty frequently. Jacob is a doormat. Obviously, that’s in part because he is overly conscious of his position as a white man in a community of color etc., etc., but it’s also just his personality. He has a much easier time standing up for others than himself (also an ACoA trait, especially from those with younger siblings they may have had to stand up for or take care of, however subconsciously). Ie, during Sick Day when he defends Janine to Tasha, Melissa, and Barbara. It can also be seen in how he just can’t fucking break up with Zach and has to try and passive aggressively, connivingly get Zach to do it. Additionally, and this could apply to trait 3 as well, when he advises Gregory to ghost Taylor rather than be straight up.
Traits 8, 9, and 10 (h, i, and j) are all too introspective or particular to have really been explored in the show, so I think trying to definitely say he has them would be overreach / blatantly OOC. J (stuffed feelings/denial) is the only one I could possible endorse? Just from when Caleb comes back, all that hurt and anger comes from nowhere, which sort of implies he’s been stuffing it down. But this is also a workplace documentary (technically), so of course he wouldn’t be 'feeling his feels' in front of his coworkers AND cameras. So, this one I will shrug at.
Trait 11 (k) — We know he has low self-esteem from his actions, from his desperate need to fit in, from his cowardice, from his socially anxious and awkward behavior, etc.
Trait 12 (l) and 14 (n) — You could talk about his breakup with Zach here, specifically delaying it way past the expiration date, as well as the way he gives in to others and is a doormat. I also want to bring up that Avi being aloof and pretending not to be interested in Jacob made Jacob more attracted to him.
Trait 13 (m) -- "A para alcoholic is someone who may not necessarily have a dependency on alcohol themselves, but they exhibit behaviours and patterns similar to those of someone who does." Basically, people have emotional wounds and compensate in ways that don't involve drinking. This compensation can be a lot of things, from controlling behavior to narcissism to avoidance. Anything to numb the pain/avoid the problem. Again, same problem with earlier, this is too personal/internal to really know or see from a mockumentary, though we know one of the symptoms of this is heightened anxiety, which Jacob certainly displays traits of.
Anyway, I think he fits a lot of these traits pretty well, at least from what little we know about him and his family life. He's got that skittish, people-pleasing, oblivious, naive, clingy, so-damn-annoying.... je ne se quios.... about him. A large part of me is embarrassed to even be making this post because I understand it’s a reach of sorts, but I mean. So? Any comments, additions, or well-intentioned criticisms are invited (even begged for, honestly. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK PLEASE!!! AUGHH!!).
