The Influence of Parental Rejection on the Development of Maladaptive Schemas, Rumination, and Motivations for Self-Injury

Abstract

To improve understanding of the development of self-injury, the current study was designed to determine the role that rejecting caregivers may have in conferring risk through development of maladaptive schemas, rumination, and specific motives for various self-destructive behaviors. Data were collected from undergraduates endorsing a history of self-injury who were raised by both parents (n = 228). The proposed model hypothesizing parental rejection influencing dual pathways of interpersonal and intrapersonal causes and motivations for self-injury was supported. Perceptions of greater parental rejection were associated with higher levels of both intra and interpersonal maladaptive schemas which, in turn, influenced corresponding intra and interpersonal motivations for self injury. Further, we found support for the expectation that the intrapersonal pathway was associated with greater depressive rumination and greater severity, recency, and variety of self-injury. Results are consistent with developmental models of dysfunctional caregiver relationships which disrupt the formation of healthy self views and adaptive emotional regulation capacities.