The Effect of Early Maladaptive Schemas on Self-Handicapping: The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem Instability

Abstract

The aim of the present study, was to test a conceptual model of the mediating role of self-esteem instability on the relationship between early maladaptive schemas, and self-handicapping components. This research was carried out in the framework of a correlational design. The participants were Three hundred and nine female students from University of Mazandaran who were selected by multi-stage clustered sampling. The participants completed the demographic form, The Self-Handicapping Scale, The Instability of Self-Esteem Scale, and The Early Maladaptive Schemas Questionnaire–Short Form. Using maximum-likelihood estimation and bootstrap procedure, results from path analysis showed that the proposed model fitted the data well, and unrelenting standards/hyper criticalness, failure, and defectiveness/shame schemas through the mediating role of instability of self-esteem, had positive and significant effect on claimed and behavioral self-handicapping. According to the findings of the present study, it could be concluded that unrelenting standards/hyper criticalness, failure, and defectiveness/shame schemas can predict self-handicapping. Meanwhile, instability of self-esteem as a personal factor could clarify the mechanism of the effect of early maladaptive schemas on self-handicapping components. These results can be used to design counseling and therapeutic programs for students.