Early Maladaptive Schemas within the domain Disconnection and Rejection and transdiagnostic Personality Functioning

Personality functioning issues are no longer believed to only affect personality disorders (PD) but are now also known to affect individuals with other psychological disorders, making them transdiagnostic. Similarly, Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS) were first seen as core features of PD but have now been correlated with other disorders. The relationship between the two has, however, not been investigated extensively, and existing research investigated it only in the context of PD. This study investigated the relationship between transdiagnostic ‘Personality Functioning’ and EMS domain ‘Disconnection and Rejection’. In this cross-sectional within-subjects study, students were recruited and completed the Young Schema Questionnaire Short Form version 3, measuring EMS, and the DSM-5 Self-Rated Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure – Adult, measuring transdiagnostic ‘Personality Functioning’. General demographic information was also gathered. Median age of responders was 19.0 (IQR=2.0),...Show morePersonality functioning issues are no longer believed to only affect personality disorders (PD) but are now also known to affect individuals with other psychological disorders, making them transdiagnostic. Similarly, Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS) were first seen as core features of PD but have now been correlated with other disorders. The relationship between the two has, however, not been investigated extensively, and existing research investigated it only in the context of PD. This study investigated the relationship between transdiagnostic ‘Personality Functioning’ and EMS domain ‘Disconnection and Rejection’. In this cross-sectional within-subjects study, students were recruited and completed the Young Schema Questionnaire Short Form version 3, measuring EMS, and the DSM-5 Self-Rated Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure – Adult, measuring transdiagnostic ‘Personality Functioning’. General demographic information was also gathered. Median age of responders was 19.0 (IQR=2.0), and 90.5% were female. A Pearson r correlation was conducted, and a positive relationship between the total score of EMS domain ‘Disconnection and Rejection’ and the total score of transdiagnostic ‘Personality Functioning’ was found (r= 0.594, p<.001). I concluded that higher scores of EMS domain ‘Disconnection and Rejection’ are associated with higher scores of transdiagnostic ‘Personality Functioning’. As the EMS domain ‘Disconnection and Rejection’ pertains to one’s needs for safe attachment and belonging during childhood, I believe that individuals with higher scores on this domain are more likely to have daily personality functioning complaints. Implications apply to the clinical field, through promoting improved treatment trajectories, and through preventative measures, via assessing possible psychopathology based on mild symptomology.Show less

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Early Maladaptive Schemas within the domain Disconnection and Rejection and transdiagnostic Personality Functioning