Maladaptive Schema Domains Research Articles

Early maladaptive schemas as mediators between childhood maltreatment and adult psychopathology in psychiatric inpatients.

Early maladaptive schemas are well-established mechanisms between childhood maltreatment (i.e., abuse and neglect) and psychopathology in adulthood. However, research has not yet examined the unique contribution of childhood maltreatment, while controlling for the family dysfunction-related experiences, in shaping specific EMS domains and their associations with distinct psychopathological outcomes. Our aim was to examine the unique role of childhood maltreatment, while controlling for the effects of family dysfunction on early maladaptive schemas and subsequently on personality disorders and psychological distress using structural equation modelling and network analysis. A total of 2,011 unique inpatients aged 18 to 80 years (M = 39.7, SD = 14.18; 53.4% women) admitted to the Alexianen Zorggroep Tienen Psychiatric Hospital between 2011 and 2021 were included in this study. Self-report questionnaires were completed as part of the hospital admission process. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and network analysis. The results showed positive associations between childhood maltreatment, family dysfunction, early maladaptive schema domains, symptoms of personality disorders, and psychological distress. Accounting for the effects of family dysfunction-related experiences, early maladaptive schema played a significant mediating role in the association between childhood maltreatment and psychopathological outcomes. The results highlighted the central role of the domains disconnection/rejection and impaired autonomy/performance for personality disorders and psychological distress. There were no significant gender-specific differences in the network of relationships between the variables. These results demonstrate the key role of EMS in the domains of disconnection/rejection and impaired autonomy/performance in the association between childhood maltreatment and personality pathology and psychological distress in psychiatric inpatients. Clinical implications, study limitations, and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Early maladaptive schema, attachment style, and parenting style in a clinical population with personality disorder and normal individuals: a discriminant analysis model

IntroductionResearchers have shown various variables’ role in forming personality disorders (PD). This study aimed to assess the role of early maladaptive schema (EMS), attachment style (AS), and parenting style (PS) in discriminating between personality disorders and normal individuals.MethodsIn this study, 78 personality disorder patients and 360 healthy volunteers aged 18–84 were selected using convenience sampling. They completed the Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (SQ-SF), Revised Adult Attachment Scale (RAAS), and Baumrind’s Parenting Styles Questionnaire (PSI). Data were analyzed using discriminant analysis with IBM SPSS 25.ResultsThe results showed higher mean scores in all early maladaptive schema domains, insecure attachment styles, and authoritarian parenting in the personality disorder group than in the normal group. Also, discriminant analyses revealed that the function was statistically significant and could distinguish between the two groups and a compound of essential variables, disconnection, impaired autonomy, and secure attachment, respectively, discriminating two groups. Given that all components were able to distinguish between the two groups.ConclusionTherefore, intervention based on these factors early in life may help reduce the characteristics of personality disorders. Also, considering the role of these factors, treatment protocols can be prepared.

Social Anxiety from an Attachment Theory Perspective: The Mediating Role of Early Maladaptive Schema Domains and Rejection Sensitivity

Social anxiety is a common problem. Several factors play a role in the development and maintenance of social anxiety. Since relationship with parents is specifically an important factor, it is important to examine social anxiety from an attachment theory perspective. Studies indicate that early maladaptive schemas and rejection sensitivity may play a role in the relationship between attachment pattern and psychological distress. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to examine the mediating role of early maladaptive schema domains and rejection sensitivity in the relationship between internal working models of attachment and social anxiety. The sample of the study consisted of 557 university students (199 male, 358 female) between the ages of 17-27 (M = 20.69, SD = 1.79). Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Relationship Scales Questionnaire, Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form 3, and Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire were administered to the participants. Results of the mediation analysis with Bootstrapping showed that Impaired Autonomy schema domain and rejection sensitivity mediated the relationships between attachment self-model and social anxiety. Moreover, schema domains of Impaired Autonomy, Impaired Limits and Unrelenting Standards, and rejection sensitivity mediated the relationship between attachment other-model and social anxiety. The current study may contribute to the literature by providing an understanding of how the relationship between attachment and social anxiety may emerge. Clinicians aiming to increase clients’ functionality and quality of life should/could focus on their clinical practice on the above early maladaptive schema domains and rejection sensitivity.

Correlates and Variation in Early Maladaptive Schema Domains Between Day 1 and Day 15 of Menses Among Lebanese Female University Students.

Objective: To investigate variation in early maladaptive schema (EMS) domains between day 1 and day 15 of menses among Lebanese female university students and assess factors potentially responsible for this variation, as well as the impact of EMS on premenstrual symptoms.Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 84 female participants between June and September 2020. The study consisted of interviewing participants (questionnaire 1) on the first day of their menses and then contacting them 15 days later to complete the follow-up survey (questionnaire 2).Results: Lower means of emotional deprivation, social isolation, defectiveness, and negativity were found on day 15 compared to day 1. Older age was significantly associated with a decrease in punitiveness on day 15 (P = .012). Furthermore, higher anxiety was significantly associated with increased emotional deprivation (P = .024), self-sacrifice (P = .008), unrelenting standards (P = .005), entitlement (P = .025), and approval seeking (P = .013) on day 15. Higher depression was significantly associated with increased emotional deprivation (P = .033), defectiveness (P = .04), failure (P = .043), dependence (P = .042), and subjugation (P = .048) on day 15. Higher stress was significantly associated with an increase in vulnerability (P = .017), unrelenting standards (P = .002), negativity (P = .024), and punitiveness (P = .008) on day 15. Moreover, having a monthly income compared to not was significantly associated with decreased emotional deprivation (P = .015), abandonment (P = .029), defectiveness (P = .039), failure (P = .033), dependence (P = .039), subjugation (.018), and punitiveness (P = .014) on day 15. Finally, higher physical activity was significantly associated with an increase in self-sacrifice (P = .03) on day 15.Conclusions: Potential treatment with schema therapy must be offered by experienced psychologists to eligible patients to minimize the apparent detriment caused by EMS to interpersonal relationships, social interactions, lifestyle, work performance, emotional well-being, and overall health-related quality of life.

Early maladaptive schema domains and suicide risk in major depressive disorder: the mediating role of patients’ illness-related self-regulation processes and symptom severity

AbstractEarly maladaptive schemas (EMS), illness representations, and coping are associated with clinical outcomes of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the pathways that link these factors are largely unknown. The present prospective study aimed at investigating the possible mediating role of illness representations and coping in the associations among schema domains, symptom severity, and suicide risk in MDD. Participants were 135 patients diagnosed with MDD, aged 48.13 ± 14.12 (84.4% females). The Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form 3 was used to measure schema domains at baseline. Illness representations and coping were measured at approximately five months later (mean = 5.04 ± 1.16 months) with the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Mental Health and the Brief COPE Inventory, respectively. MDD outcomes were measured about 10 months after the baseline assessment (mean = 9.44 ± 2.36 months) with the Beck Depression Inventory and the Risk Assessment Suicidality Scale. SPSS AMOS 27 was used to conduct path analysis. Serial mediation Structural Equation Modelling, controlling for age, education, marital status, working status, MDD duration, pharmacotherapy, and psychotherapy, revealed that Impaired Autonomy and Performance was positively linked to suicide risk. Negative MDD impact representations and symptom severity serially mediated the aforementioned association. Finally, problem-focused coping was negatively related to symptom severity and suicide risk. This study’s main limitation was modest sample size. Representations regarding the impact and severity of MDD mediate the effects of Impaired Autonomy and Performance on future suicide risk in MDD. Healing Impaired Autonomy and Performance domain of EMS, restructuring patients’ representations of high MDD impact, and enhancing problem-focused coping could significantly reduce symptom severity and suicide risk in Schema Therapy with MDD individuals.

How Do Early Maladaptive Schemas and Family Functions Predict Dyadic Marital Adjustment? A Test on Turkish Married Individuals

The aim of this study is to determine the predictive strength of early maladaptive schema domains and family functions in explaining dyadic marital adjustment by testing a hypothetical structural model. While the dependent variable was dyadic marital adjustment, the independent variables were early maladaptive schema domains, and the mediator variable was family functions. The study group consisted of 201 Turkish married individuals. Findings revealed that unrelenting standards and disconnection schema domains significantly predicted dyadic marital adjustment and family functions play a partial mediating role only in the predictive effect of the disconnection schema domain on dyadic marital adjustment.

Examining Social Anxiety Symptoms with Early Maladaptive Schemas: The Mediating Role of Mindfulness and Self-Compassion.

This study aims to determine early maladaptive schema domains that significantly predict social anxiety symptoms in university students and to examine whether mindfulness and self-compassion play mediating roles in the correlation of these schema domains with social anxiety symptoms. 440 students from various departments of universities participated in the study. Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Young Schema QuestionnaireShort Form 3, Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire, and Self-Compassion Scale were used to evaluate social anxiety, early maladaptive schema domains, mindfulness, and self-compassion, respectively. The hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated that maladaptive schemas in the domains of disconnection, impaired autonomy, and unrelenting standards significantly predicted the increase in social anxiety symptoms. It was found that the level of mindfulness mediated the correlations between these three schema domains and social anxiety symptoms. Moreover, self-compassion mediated the correlations between the schema domains of impaired autonomy and unrelenting standards and social anxiety symptoms. Findings indicate the importance of both specific schema domains and the level of mindfulness and self-compassion in explaining social anxiety symptoms in university students. The results' possible causes and clinical implications were discussed in light of the current literature.

THE MEDIATING ROLE OF HUMOR STYLES IN THE RELATION BETWEEN EARLY MALADAPTIVE SCHEMA DOMAINS AND THE SEVERITY OF DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS

This study aimed to explore the indirect associations of the early maladaptive schema domains with the severity of depression symptoms through humor styles (i.e., self-enhancing, affiliative, self-defeating, and aggressive humor styles) in Turkish culture. Data were collected from 373 university students via demographic information form and the Turkish versions of Young Schema Questionnaire Short Form-3, Humor Styles Questionnaire, and Beck Depression Inventory. Using Hayes Macro, five separate mediation analyses were performed for testing the indirect associations, one for each schema domain. The results generally revealed that humor styles partially mediated the relationships between the schema domains and depression symptoms. Particularly, self-defeating humor style was found to be the most consistent mediator between the relationship the early maladaptive schema domains with the severity of depression symptoms. Also, the findings showed for the first time that aggressive style (partially) mediated the relations between some of the schema domains and depression symptoms and was negatively associated with these symptoms. Moving from these findings, it can be suggested that humor styles may serve as coping strategies for early maladaptive schemas. Thus, measuring and addressing humor styles in the treatment of depression symptoms may be beneficial in increasing the effectiveness of treatments. In addition, the current finding on aggressive humor style suggests that there may be cultural differences in the use of humor. However, cross-cultural studies are needed to conclude that cultural factors change the mediating role of humor styles in the relationship between schema domains and depression symptoms.

Temperament and early maladaptive schemas as correlates of sexual satisfaction

Introduction: This paper presents the correlates of sexual satisfaction, i.e. early maladaptive schemas and personality factors. Aim: The aim of the present study was to identify which early maladaptive schemas are associated with sexual satisfaction, and to clarify the role of temperamental dimensions in determining its level. In other words, the study analyses the significance of early human experience and personality determinants for the level of sexual satisfaction. Methods: The study group consisted of 104 people aged 18 to 40 years who were recruited from the general non-clinical population. Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (Kwestionariusz Satysfakcji Seksualnej, KSS), Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) Young’s Schema Questionnaire 3, Short Form (YSQ-S3-PL), were used in the analysis. Results: Of all the personality variables, only Harm Avoidance was found to have a predictive value (β = −0.246; p = 0.036): all temperamental and characterological variables that entered the regression model were found to account for only about 12% of the variability. Among the maladaptive schema domains analysed, Over-vigilance and Inhibition and Other Directedness have predictive values, together explaining about 26% of the variability of the results (β = −0.311, p = 0.006; β = −0.247, p = 0.029). Conclusion: The most significant determinants of sexual satisfaction are cognitive schemas, i.e. early childhood experiences based on the long-term satisfaction of one or several core needs, or failure to do so. In contrast, personality factors, including temperamental and character factors, play a slightly lesser role.

Maladaptive Cognitive Schemas as Predictors of Disordered Eating: Examining the Indirect Pathway through Emotion Regulation Difficulties.

A scarcity of research has looked into the association of maladaptive core beliefs with dysfunctional eating patterns. Moreover, no prior study has considered the potential role of difficulties in negative emotion regulation when disentangling the complex correlations between early maladaptive schemas and disturbed eating habits. Our study aimed at exploring the distinct relationships between early maladaptive schemas and disordered eating, while investigating the indirect role of emotion regulation difficulties within these associations. We collected data from 982 Lebanese young adults (18–30 years old), distributed across the five Lebanese governorates, who completed the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), the Young Schema Questionnaire—Short Form 3 (YSQ-SF3), and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale—16 Item Version (DERS-16). The results showed that the disconnection and rejection schema domain, under which the early maladaptive schema of mistrust was the most predictive of disordered/inappropriate eating attitudes. All the remaining maladaptive schema domains (i.e., the impaired autonomy/performance, impaired limits, other-directedness, and overvigilance/inhibition schema domains) exerted significant indirect effects on disordered eating attitudes through difficulties in emotion regulation. Our findings gave prominence to a potential intrinsic mechanism through which maladaptive cognitive schemas are linked to disordered eating behaviors, emphasizing the role of emotion dysregulation as a cardinal actor within this model. They sustain the surmise that cognitively and emotionally vulnerable individuals exhibit stronger propensities for inappropriate dietary patterns, as a means to offset their inner weakness. This study broadens the medical community’s insights into the underpinning processes behind eating disorder psychopathology and could therefore make a step towards the adoption of innovative therapeutic approaches that promote emotion regulation skills in the context of schema therapy.

The Relationship Between Early Maladaptive Schemas and Psychological Tendencies Associated With The Romantic Relationships In University Students: An Investigation Through The Schema Therapy Model

This study was conducted to determine the predictive power of variables that early maladaptive schema domains on the psychological tendencies associated with the romantic relationships in university students. Young Schema Questionnaire- SF3, The Multidimensional Relationship Questionnaire, and The Personal Information Form were used to collect the data. The sample of the research was composed of 334 students who have a romantic relationship history of at least six months. The average age of the participants was 22.63 and 68% of them were female and 30.8% of them were male. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted. The results of this study showed that; the psychological tendencies associated with the romantic relationships were associated with early maladaptive schema domains, and it was concluded that romantic relationship tendencies were predominantly associated with impaired autonomy and other-directedness schema domains. However, it was seen that the predicting power of disconnection and rejection, and over vigilance schema domains on the tendencies associated with the romantic relationship was low.

Are four maladaptive schema domains a better option than five? Recommendations based on comparison of the latent structure of schemas on a large group of healthy adults.

Numerous publications and analyses conducted in various cultures lead to the conclusion that the latent structure of schemas is not unambiguous. The latest proposal by Bach et al. (2017a) includes 18 schemas and four domains; however, a five domain structure is also acceptable. The aim of the research was to directly compare both proposals based on the research of a large group of healthy people. The schema questionnaire YSQ-S3 was completed by 2348 people aged 18-81 years, of whom women constituted slightly over 54%. CFA analyses have demonstrated a poor fit to the data of all analysed models, with the model of four correlated domains, which is also characterised by higher loadings (standardised regression loadings), being the closest to fulfil the criteria. Exploratory factor analyses have shown an almost exact reflection of the structure with the assumed four factors; the structure of five factors has not been recreated. The released number of factors indicated a two-factor solution. The additional analysis confirmed positive medium correlations with negative affect and psychopathology symptoms. Negative correlations of self-esteem, positivity scale and positive affect indicate good divergent validity. The analysis confirms the existence of 18 schemas and supports the new four-domain model of the latent structure of schemas as more appropriate than a model consisting of five domains.

Multidimensional Analysis of Major Depression: Association Between BDNF Methylation, Psychosocial and Cognitive Domains.

Major Depression is a complex disorder with a growing incidence worldwide and multiple variables have been associated with its etiology. Nonetheless, its diagnosis is continually changing and the need to understand it from a multidimensional perspective is clear. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for depression in a case-control study with 100 depressive inpatients and 87 healthy controls. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed including psychosocial factors, cognitive maladaptive schema domains, and specific epigenetic marks (BDNF methylation levels at five CpG sites in promoter IV). A family history of depression, the cognitive schemas of impaired autonomy/performance, impaired limits, other-directedness, and the methylation level of a specific CpG site were identified as predictors. Interestingly, we found a mediating effect of those cognitive schemas in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and depression. Also, we found that depressive patients exhibited hypomethylation in a CpG site of BDNF promoter IV, which adds to the current discussion about the role of methylation in depression. We highlight that determining the methylation of a specific region of a single gene offers the possibility of accessing a highly informative an easily measurable variable, which represents benefits for diagnosis. Following complete replication and validation on larger samples, models like ours could be applicable as additional diagnostic tools in the clinical context.

Associations between early maladaptive schema domains of parents and their adult children: The role of defence styles.

Although existing research recognized the associations between early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) of parents and their adult children, the mechanisms that underpin these associations were not fully understood. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to explore the role of defence styles (DSs) on the associations between two EMS domains (Disconnection/Rejection and Impaired Autonomy) of parents and their adult children. Two hundred and fifteen families (i.e., mother, father, and their adult children) participated in the study. Both parents and their adult children were asked to complete Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-SF) and Defence Style Questionnaire (DSQ) to assess their EMS domains and DSs. According to the results of the current study, there were significant associations between Disconnection/Rejection and Impaired Autonomy EMS domains of parents and their adult children, and these associations were mediated by only immature DS of parents and their adult children in a serial mediation model. These results contributed to our understanding of the associations between EMS domains of parents and their adult children through immature DSs. Moreover, our findings highlighted the importance of synthesizing the concepts of different theories to enhance our understanding of mental representations in families.

A preliminary study: designing and validating projective images of Young\u2019s early maladaptive schema (EMS) domains

BackgroundThis study aims to design and validate ten projective images of Young’s Early Maladaptive Schema (EMS) domains. For this purpose, two questions are to be addressed. (1) How is the factorial structure of the projective images of EMS domains? (2) Do the images designed in the domains of disconnection and rejection, impaired autonomy and performance, impaired limits, other-directedness, and over-vigilance and inhibition have sufficient validity?MethodsThis is an applied mixed-methods exploratory study, in which the statistical population consisted of psychologists from Tehran Province in the qualitative section (n = 8) as well as other individuals aged between 18 and 65 years (mean age = 33) from Qazvin in the quantitative section (n = 102) in 2018. The research questions were analyzed through principal axis factoring with a varimax rotation, confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient, and Cronbach’s alpha.ResultsAccording to the results, ten images and five domains of Young’s EMSs contribute to a simple structure. Accounting for 70.35% of the total variance of EMSs, the five dimensions include disconnection and rejection, impaired autonomy and performance, impaired limits, other-directedness, and over-vigilance and inhibition.ConclusionsThe results indicated that the designed projective images yielded acceptable construct validity.

The mediating effect of humour in relation to early maladaptive schema domains and psychological wellbeing (eng)

The mediating effect of humour in relation to early maladaptive schema domains and psychological wellbeing (eng)

'Impaired Autonomy and Performance' predicts binge eating disorder among obese patients.

The present study examined the predictive value of early maladaptive schema (EMS) domains on the diagnosis of binge eating disorder (BED). Seventy obese patients seeking treatment for weight loss were recruited and allocated to either group 1 (obese) or group 2 (BED-obese) according to clinical diagnosis. Both groups underwent psychometric assessment for EMS (according to the latest four-factor model), eating and general psychopathologies. Logistic regression analysis was performed on significant variables and BED diagnosis. In addition to showing higher values on all clinical variables, BED-obese patients exhibited significantly higher scores for all four schema domains. Regression analysis revealed a 12-fold increase in risk of BED with 'Impaired Autonomy and Performance'. Depression did not account for a higher risk. Impaired Autonomy and Performance is associated with BED in a sample of obese patients. Schema therapy should be considered a potential psychotherapy strategy in the treatment of BED. Level III, case-control study.

Bidirectional Relationships Between Stress, Depressive Symptoms, and Cognitive Vulnerabilities in Adolescents

Introduction: Depression is a highly prevalent problem in adolescence, with great clinical and social relevance. Recent models of psychopathology in childhood and adolescence underscore that the relationships between stress, cognitive vulnerabilities, and depressive symptoms are bidirectional. In addition, according to cognitive therapy models, cognitive vulnerabilities are organized hierarchically, with deep schemas guiding more superficial cognitive processes such as rumination. The present study examines the longitudinal predictive relationships between two levels of cognitions (early maladaptive schemas and rumination), stressors, and depression. Method: A sample of 584 Spanish adolescents (262 girls; mean age = 15.99, SD = 1.10) completed measures of depression, stressors, rumination, and three early maladaptive schema domains (disconnection and rejection, impaired autonomy and other-directedness) over 4 intervals of 4 months. Path analysis was used to test the hypotheses of the study. Results: Disconnection and rejection domain systematically predicted an increase in depression, new stressors, and rumination over time. In addition, depressive symptoms predicted an increase of disconnection/rejection scores at all time points. Finally, from Time 2 on, stressors predicted an increase in all schema domains. Discussion: The outcomes suggest the importance of the disconnection and rejection schema domain. These results are important to understand the mechanisms underlying stress and depression in adolescents.

Childhood Emotional Maltreatment and Aggression: The Mediator Role of the Early Maladaptive Schema Domains and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation

ABSTRACTThe association between childhood emotional maltreatment (CEM) and aggression is an empirically and theoretically supported finding. Both early maladaptive schema (EMS) domains and difficulties in emotion regulation (DER) have been examined as mediators on this relationship in the literature. However, past research has not evaluated the roles of EMS domains and DER simultaneously on the relationship between CEM and aggression. In an attempt to fill this gap in the literature, we conducted this study in Turkey to examine EMS domains and DER together as the mediators in the relationship between CEM and aggression in adulthood. The sample consisted of 291 participants (nfemale = 204; nmale = 87). The mean age was 22.96 years (SD = 5.62). All variables were assessed via self-report questionnaires. Mediation analyses were conducted via PROCESS and INDIRECT macro. Findings indicated that disconnection, unrelenting standards and impaired autonomy schema domains, and DER total score and the impulse subscale score mediated the relationship between CEM and aggression in adulthood. The current findings draw attention to EMS domains and DER that link CEM and aggression in adulthood.

Differential roles of early maladaptive schema domains on the link between perceived parenting behaviors and depression, anxiety, and anger

Research that focuses on the association between parenting and psychological problems provide consistent results indicating more severe levels of maladjustment being associated with high levels of parental rejection and control. Nevertheless, it is equally important to understand the mechanisms that explain the relationship among these concepts. The present study explored the role of Early Maladaptive Schema (EMS) domains in the relationship between parenting dimensions (rejection and control) and measures of anxiety, depression, and maladaptive anger expression in a sample of Turkish undergraduate students (N = 266, 188 female). Participants were administered scales that assess maternal rejection and control, EMS, anxiety, depression, and anger. Results revealed that perceived maternal rejection and control in childhood might have substantial influence in adult functioning. More specifically, the association between maternal rejection and psychological symptoms was mediated by disconnection schema domain. On the other hand, maternal control was linked to anxiety and depression through impaired autonomy schema domain, but its association with anger was through impaired limits schema domain. Findings indicate differential roles of schema domains on the relation between parenting behaviors and psychological distress measures.