The Relationship between Early Maladaptive Schemas and Aspects of Identity in Obesity

Abstract

Early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) have impact on the many aspects of personality and disorders. Obesity is one of the most problematic issues and there is a high prevalence of obesity in hospital populations. This study was aimed to examine the relationship of EMSs and Aspects of Identity on individuals with obesity. Sixty patients from Weight Loss Clinic of Sina Hospital participated in this study. The participants completed the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-SF) and Aspects of Identity Questionnaire-IV (AIQ-IV). The results showed that some aspects of identity (Collective, Personal, social and Relational Identities) were positively associated with EMSs, self-sacrificing schema in particular, in obese people. Regression analysis showed that collective identity was mostly predicted by Isolation / Alienation, and Emotional Inhibition schemas while, social identity was mostly predicted by Abandonment / Instability and Unrelenting Standards / Hypercriticalness. Relational identity was predicted by Abandonment / instability and personal identity was predicted by Abandonment / Instability and Unrelenting Standards / Hypercriticalness schemas. Implications of these findings are discussed.