Schematic Functioning, Interpersonal Dysfunctional Cycles and Cognitive Fusion in the Complementary Paradigmatic Perspective: Analysis of a Clinical Sample

Abstract

Previous research has shown that transdiagnostic variables, such as dysfunctional schemata, interpersonal cycles, and cognitive fusion, are strongly related to psychological disorders and mental health. In this sense, this study sought to clarify, identify, and differentiate to what extent early maladaptive schemas, interpersonal dysfunctional cycles, and cognitive fusion relate to each other and to determine what are their differential contributions to the regulation of psychological needs, well-being, psychological distress, and symptomatology. For this purpose, we assessed a clinical group (n = 58) and found strong associations between schemas, interpersonal cycles, and cognitive fusion within a composite model. These transdiagnostic variables predicted the regulation of psychological needs. Overall, where there is a high presence of schemas, dysfunctional cycles, and psychological rigidity, the ability to the regulation of psychological needs decreases, which in turn decreases well-being levels and increases psychological distress and symptomatology. These results may be important to case conceptualization and clinical decision making focused on the patient’s characteristics, styles of communication and needs.