The mediating role of schema coping strategies in the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and quality of life in individuals aged 18–24 with and without stuttering

The present study examined the mediating role of schema coping strategies in the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and quality of life among individuals aged 18–24 in late adolescence, both with and without a stuttering diagnosis. The sample consisted of 213 participants, including 103 individuals diagnosed with stuttering and 110 without. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Young Schema Questionnaire–Short Form 3 (YSQ-SF3), the Schema Coping Scale, the SF-36 Quality of Life Scale, and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Statistical analyses included the chi-square test, independent samples t-test, Pearson correlation analysis, and the SPSS Process Macro v4.2 (Model 5). Findings indicated that the schema domains of "impaired autonomy", "impaired limits", "hypervigilance", and "disconnection" had significant negative effects on quality of life. Surrender and avoidance coping strategies mediated this relationship, while overcompensation showed no significant mediating effect. Stuttering diagnosis was found to moderate the relationship between "impaired limits" and quality of life. Quality of life was also analyzed in relation to demographic and clinical variables. No significant differences were found in quality of life scores based on stuttering diagnosis, gender, or chronic illness history. However, individuals with psychiatric or psychological diagnoses had significantly lower quality of life. Receiving psychological support did not significantly affect quality of life scores. Additionally, a significant association was found between gender and stuttering diagnosis, with stuttering being more prevalent among males. Educational levels were relatively lower in participants with a stuttering diagnosis, suggesting potential academic difficulties. Although no significant relationship was found between employment status and stuttering, existing literature suggests that this may depend on individual and environmental factors. These findings highlight that stuttering may have multifaceted impacts not only on psychological functioning but also on social and occupational domains. In conclusion, the results suggest that stuttering cannot be reduced to a surface-level speech disorder. Instead, it is shaped by complex inner dynamics such as psychological structure, schemas, coping strategies, and psychiatric history. The significant impact of surrender and avoidance coping strategies on quality of life emphasizes the importance of targeting underlying cognitive and emotional patterns in psychological interventions. Structural approaches such as schema therapy may hold significant and transformative potential for improving the quality of life in individuals coping with stuttering.