The mediating role of interpersonal styles in the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and depression level in individuals with Major Depressive Disorder

The aim of this study is to investigate the mediating role of interpersonal styles in the relationship between depression levels and early maladaptive schemas in individuals with major depressive disorder. The sample of this study consisted of 87 female (77.7%) and 25 male (22.3%) participants who has major depression. The current research was designed in relational model, which aims to examine the relations between the variables with mediation analysis. Demographic Information Form, Beck Depression Inventory, Young Schema Scale-Short Form-3 and Interpersonal Style Scale were used as data collection tools. Descriptive statistics methods, independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation analysis and Parallel Multiple Mediator Variable analysis were used for the data analysis. It was determined that major depression level has positive correlation to age and negative correlation to educational status. In addition, it was seen that women had a higher mean in the dimensions of impaired autonomy and other-directedness, and men used a dominant style more. It was determined that those who did not have a psychiatric disorder in their family in the impaired autonomy dimension, and those with a family of a psychiatric disorder in the other-directedness schema dimension were found to have higher scores. In addition, those who received medical treatment in the dimensions of impaired autonomy, other-directedness and high standards, those who received psychotherapy and medical treatment in the dimension of damaged borders, dominant style, and those who did not receive any treatment in the dimension of emotion-avoiding/insensitive style had higher mean scores. As a result of mediating variable analysis, it was seen that avoidant style and emotion avoidant/insensitive style had a mediating role in the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and the level of major depression. The results obtained were discussed according to the literature, and suggestions were made. Keywords: Major Depression, Early Maladaptive Schemas, Interpersonal Styles