Early Maladaptive Schemas and Family Roles in Young Adults
Abstract
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: Early maladaptive schemas are stable, global cognitive and emotional patterns that develop in childhood. According to the authors, these schemas may be reflected in the family role within the family of origin. Therefore the aim of the study was to examine the relationships between the intensity of early maladaptive schemas and the intensity of psychological roles in the family among individuals in early adulthood.
THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: The research problem addressed how and to what extent early maladaptive schemas are associated with psychological roles assumed in the family of origin during early adulthood. The study included 218 participants aged 18–35 years (M = 22). Young’s Schema Questionnaire and Margasiński’s Family Roles Questionnaire were used.
THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: The first part of the article presents Young’s concept of early maladaptive schemas and discusses Margasiński’s typology of family roles. Next, the aim of the study and its course are presented. Analysis and discussion of the collected results serves as a starting point for formulating recommendations for therapeutic interventions and future research.
RESEARCH RESULTS: A multiple linear regression analysis showed that of the 18 schemas, 12 were significantly associated with family roles. The role of the Iron Child was explained, among other schemas, by the Unrelenting Standards schema; the role of the Hero – by the Self-Sacrifice schema; the role of the Mascot – by the Insufficient Self-Control schema; and the roles of the Lost Child and Scapegoat – by the Pessimism schema.
CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND APPLICABLE VALUE OF RESEARCH: The family role assumed meets the current needs of the family system but simultaneously maintains and reinforces maladaptive schemas. The findings highlight the importance of interventions not only at the symptom level but also at the level of activated schemas as key targets for psycho-therapeutic intervention.
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