Coping with early maladaptive schemas: An investigation from a psycodynamic, cognitive -behavioral and emotional perspective

Scientific research and clinical experiences of psychotherapists show that early maladaptive schemas, which are known to develop as a result of negative childhood experiences, have negative effects on mental health. In this context, it is thought that the theoretical and practical applications on early maladaptive schemas are very important for mental health. In this study, the mediating role of cognitive flexibility, coping attitudes, emotion regulation skills and defense styles in the effect of early maladaptive schema domains on psychological well-being was investigated. There are 600 participants selected by convenient sampling method in the research. Sociodemographic Information Form, Young Schema Scale, Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, Coping With Stress Scale, Emotion Regulation Skills Scale, Defense Styles Questionarie and Psychological Well-Being Scale were used to collect data. In the research, the Causal Steps Approach of Baron and Kenny was used to examine the mediation effect. Analyzes were performed with Process Macro software. SPSS version 25 was used in the analysis. As a result of the study, it was found that problem-focused coping, one of the coping attitudes, and immature defenses, one of the defense styles and especially emotion regulation skills and cognitive flexibility played a mediating role in the effect of schema domains- especially impaired autonomy and disconnection domain- on psychological well-being.