An integrative perspective on the interplay between early maladaptive schemas and mental health: The role of self-compassion and emotion regulation

Objectives We aimed to test whether negative emotion regulation difficulties and self-compassion mediate the relationship between early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) and symptoms of psychopathology and life satisfaction. Methods Data were collected from 296 adults (179 females, 117 males), whose age ranged from 17 to 52 years. The mediating roles of self-compassion and negative emotion regulation were examined via Hayes' procedure (PROCESS) for multiple mediation. Results Negative emotion regulation was the only mediator to psychopathological symptoms, with no additional role for self-compassion, whereas self-compassion mediated only to life satisfaction, with no additional role for negative emotion regulation. Conclusions The results provide evidence for unique mediating roles of negative emotion regulation and self-compassion, depending on the outcome variable. That helps to understand how problems that may be identified in terms of positive and negative domains are related to EMSs, and allows to put forward potential strategies within the frame of schema therapy

Thinking about feeling: using trait emotional intelligence in understanding the associations between early maladaptive schemas and coping styles

Objectives: Maladaptive interpersonal schemas can trigger distressing emotions and drive dysfunctional behaviour that leads to difficulties in interpersonal relationships and perpetuates the original maladaptive schemas. This study sought to identify patterns of association between trait emotional intelligence (TEI), early maladaptive schemas (EMS), and coping styles in a non‐clinical sample. Emotionality profiles were hypothesized to be associated with EMS severity and poorer coping, as early experiences can shape an individual's self‐perceptions through reinforcement by maladaptive responses. Design: Cross‐sectional study with 142 undergraduate students. Methods: We obtained self‐reports of TEI, coping styles, and EMS. Results: Disengagement coping was strongly correlated with EMS severity (r = .565, p < .01). TEI was negatively correlated with EMS (r = −.660, p < .01) and Disengagement (r = −.405, p < .01). Emotionality, Impaired Autonomy, and Overvigilance partially mediated the relationship between Disconnection and Emotion‐Focused Disengagement. Self‐Control fully mediated the relationship between Impaired Limits and Problem‐Focused Disengagement. Conclusions: The findings suggest that lower TEI is associated with the likelihood for maladaptive coping in response to EMS. The preference for certain coping styles associated with a particular domain of EMS may be explained by an individual's perceived metacognitive ability to regulate their stress and emotions. When individuals’ needs for love, safety, and acceptance from others are not met, there might be poorer perceived self‐efficacies in Emotionality and the tendency to cope through emotional avoidance. Individuals with difficulties establishing internal limits are more likely to respond with problem avoidance, possibly due to deficient distress tolerance. Longitudinal studies with a clinical population are warranted to replicate these findings

Schema therapy for pervasive and chronic life problems: A hermeneutic single-case efficacy design study

This study examines Schema Therapy (ST) within a framework inspired by the adjudicated hermeneutic single-case efficacy design. The client was a nineteen-year-old female college student, suffering from chronic life problems and cluster of related issues. She was evaluated as using quantitative and qualitative data. Based on these data, affirmative and sceptical arguments were developed about whether the observed change could be attributed to ST, or not. Three adjudicators concluded that the client substantially progressed over the course of therapy. Both the client and the adjudicators emphasized that the experiential techniques and therapeutic relationship, which are prominent features of ST, were effective in her treatment process