An investigation of the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and psychological resilience of university students

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and psychological resilience of university students. For this purpose, Demographic Information Form, Young Schema Scale and Psychological Resilience Scale were applied to a total of 120 university students which are consisted of 60 female and 60 male students attending Haliç University. To answer the questions of the study, participants's scale scores are analyzed by independent samples t test, Mann Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis test and Spearman correlation analysis according to normal distribution calculations. Statistical analysis revealed that there are significant relationships between early maladaptive schemas and psychological resilience, moreover, emotional inhibition and punitiveness schemas are differentiated according to gender. Enmeshment/dependency, self-sacrifice and abandonment, and challenge sub-dimension of psychological resilience are differentiated according to number of siblings. Emotional deprivation, failure and defectiveness, and control sub-dimension of psychological resilience differentiated according to family income. All schemas other than vulnerability to harm are differentiated according to childhood trauma, but psychological resilience scores are not differentiated according to childhood trauma. All schemas and control sub-dimension of psychological resilience are differentiated according to adulthood trauma. Emotional deprivation schemas are negatively correlated with psychological resilience. Failure schemas are negatively correlated with psychological resilience and its sub-dimensions challenge and dedication. Approval-seeking schemas are positively correlated with psychological resilience and its sub-dimensions challenge and control. Entitlement/insufficient self-control schemas are positively correlated with psychological resilience and its sub-dimensions challenge and control. Self-sacrifice schemas are positively correlated with psychological resilience and its sub-dimension dedication and control. Punitiveness schemas are positively correlated with the control sub-dimension of psychological resilience. Unrelenting standards schemas are positively correlated with psychological resilience and its sub-dimensions dedication and control. Findings are discussed according to literature. Key Words: early maladaptive schemas, psychological resilience, trauma