Measuring early maladaptive schemas (EMS): preliminary development of a brief Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ-Brief)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective Although the Young Schema Questionnaire and its current variants have been widely used, its continued use would be strengthened practically if a briefer version was available for clinical assessment and research. This study aimed to provide an assessment of the psychometric properties of the original YSQ-S3 and to create a brief version (YSQ-Brief) with equal or superior psychometric properties to the YSQ-S3. Methods A non-clinical sample of university students (N = 800) completed an online test battery of questionnaires. Diagnostic groups were created based off current self-report of a mental health diagnosis (e.g. generalised anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder), and an eating disorder symptomatic subgroup created based on Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire scores. Psychometric evaluations were conducted, including confirmatory factor analyses, internal consistency and validity analyses (criterion and construct). Further, group differences and relationships between mental health symptomatology and early maladaptive schemas (EMS) were examined. Results Both the YSQ-S3 and the revised YSQ-Brief displayed good model fit. Further, using both measures, all 18 EMS dimensions displayed acceptable internal consistency, good construct validity, ability to discriminate between diagnostic groups, and relationships with depression, anxiety, stress, and eating disorder symptomatology. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that both the YSQ-S3 and the revised YSQ-Brief are valid, reliable and clinically useful measures. However, the YSQ-Brief provides greater efficiency and reduced burden, as well as equal psychometric soundness as compared to the original measure.