The examination of major depressive disorder in terms of schema therapy model

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a major mental health problem causing loss of human resources and limited life worldwide. Studies indicate that Schema Therapy is promising in the treatment of MDD. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the relationship between variables of Schema Therapy model and the severity of depression in a clinical sample. The study sample consisted of 106 participants diagnosed with MDD, aged between 18 and 63 years (M = 26.08, SD = 9.27). First of all, Participants who were referred by pyschiatry service with a high possibility of MDD were clarified using the Brief International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.). Then, a questionnaire set consisting of a demographic information form, Schema Mode Inventory (Version-3), Young Schema Scale-Short Form 3, Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form, Psychological Resilience Scale for Adults, Beck Depression Inventory, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and Beck Anxiety Inventory was presented to the participants face-to-face and individually. The study's main hypotheses were tested with Moderation and Serial Mediation Model Analysis (Model 90) and Parallel Serial Mediation Model Analysis (Model 81). According to the results of the Schema Therapy model, the relationship between childhood traumas and depression severity was mediated by disconnection and rejection schema domain and emotion dysregulation, and this relationship is moderated by psychological resilience. In the Schema Mode model, dysfunctional parent modes were tested in separate models. While the direct relationship between the demanding parent mode and depression severity was not significant, the mediating role of the vulnerable child and the serial mediating role of the vulnerable child and the detached protector were found to be significant in this relationship. In the punitive parent model, the direct relationship between punitive parent and depression severity was significant, while the indirect relationships were not significant. Consequently, Schema Therapy in MDD has various potential clinical benefits. Key Words: Schema Therapy, childhood traumas, emotion dysregulation, psychological resilience, depression severity