Differences in early maladaptive schemas of men and women

Abstract

This study investigated the differences between men and women in the Young Schema Questionnaire reduced form (YSQ-S2) responses. This was a quantitative, cross-sectional comparison between groups. The sample consisted of 236 participants and divided into two groups, one group of 114 male participants and another group of 122 female participants. For inclusion the subjects should have minimum age of 18 years and maximum of 59 years and have studied up to the fifth grade. The participants answered the YSQ-S2 and data sheet socio-demographic factors. The results indicated significant differences between groups of males and females in early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) of Failure, Vulnerability to Disease and Pain, Self-Sacrifice and Emotional Inhibition, as well as in the domain of Autonomy and Impaired Performance, and, Orientation to the Other. Women had higher scores than men in all the mentioned areas, except in the EMSs Emotional Inhibition, where men had higher scores. These results may contribute to the development of knowledge about differences in maladaptive thinking patterns between men and women.