The relationship of eating attitudes to early maladaptive schemas and defense styles in adults

Research has broadly examined the relationship of eating attitudes to early maladaptive schemas and defense styles (Coveney ve Olver, 2017; Pugh, 2015; Steiger ve Houle, 1991; Waller, 2003). However research investigating the relationship between eating attitudes and maladaptive schemas in a Turkish population is scarce while research examining the relationship between eating attitudes and defense styles does not exist. This study intended to explore the relationship among eating attitudes, early maladaptive schemas and defense styles in a Turkish sample. Three hundred and seventy one participants aged between 19 and 64 were assessed using Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40), Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form 3 (YSQ-SF3) and Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40). Spearman's correlation coefficient was used in order to determine the relationship among variables and to investigate the differences between normal and abnormal eating attitudes Mann-Whitney U test was utilized. The study's findings showed that there is a significant weak positive correlation between EAT-40 total score and neurotic and immature defense styles. Also a significant weak positive correlation was found between EAT-40 total score and all early maladaptive schemas. A significant difference was also found in the immature defense style and all maladaptive schemas when normal and abnormal eating attitudes groups were compared. According to the results the group showing abnormal eating attitudes use significantly more immature defense style and have significantly higher scores on early maladaptive schemas compared to the group with normal eating attitudes. The findings of this study support previous research in this field (Blaase ve Elklit, 2001; Dingemans, Spinhoven ve Van Furth, 2006; Schmidt, Tiller ve Treasure, 1993; Unoka, Tölgyes, Czobor ve ark., 2010).