Investigating the relationship between early maladaptive schemas, cognitive emotion regulation skills and somatization

The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between early maladaptive schemas, cognitive emotion regulation skills and somatization. The research was conducted based on the relational screening model. The study group consisted of 341 young adults in total, 219 (%64.2) female, 115 (%33.7) male, and 7 (%2.1) other/do not want to specify, between the ages of 20-35. In order to accurately measure somatization symptoms, participants with any chronic disease and/or psychiatric diagnosis were excluded from the study. Demographic Information Form, Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), the Young Schema Questionnaire–Short Form-3, (YSÖ-SF3) and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Scale (CERS) were used as data collection tools in the study. Descriptive statistics were used in the analysis of demographic information, and Pearson correlation analysis and stepwise regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between early maladaptive schemas, cognitive emotion regulation skills, and somatization. As a result of Pearson correlation analysis, a high level of positive and significant relationship was found between somatization and disconnection and rejection schema scores; a high level of positive and significant relationship between somatization and impaired autonomy schema scores; a moderate level of positive and significant relationship between somatization and other-directedness schema scores; a high level of positive and significant relationship between somatization and overvigilance and inhibition schema scores and a high level of positive and significant relationship between cognitive emotion regulation skills maladaptive strategy scores; and a low level of negative and significant relationship between somatization and cognitive emotion regulation skills compatible strategy scores. As a result of stepwise regression analysis, significant predictors of somatization were found to be respectively: disconnection and rejection schema, maladaptive coping strategies, impaired autonomy schema, overvigilance and inhibition schema, and impaired limits schema. It was found that age, gender, and psychological support status were not significant predictors. As a result of the findings, the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and cognitive emotion regulation skills and somatization was discussed within the scope of the relevant literature.