Early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) are persistent dysfunctional beliefs that form in childhood and are thought to underlie chronic and recurring psychopathology. EMSs have been categorized into five...Show moreEarly maladaptive schemas (EMSs) are persistent dysfunctional beliefs that form in childhood and are thought to underlie chronic and recurring psychopathology. EMSs have been categorized into five broader schema domains. Transdiagnostic depressive symptoms entail depressive symptoms observed across various psychological disorders. We studied the relative contribution of the five EMS domains on transdiagnostic depressive symptoms in a cross-sectional within-subjects design. The sample consisted of students from Leiden University (N = 125) participating for course credit or monetary rewards, of which 91.2% were assigned the sex female at birth and 8.8% male (median age = 19, IQR = 2). Participants completed measures of the Young Schema Questionnaire 3 - short form (YSQ-S3) and the DSM-5 self-rated level 1 cross-cutting symptom measure – Adult (DSM-XC). Pearson correlations were inspected between each EMS domain and transdiagnostic depressive symptoms. A multiple regression analysis including the total scores of the five EMS domains as predictors was carried out. Individually, the EMS domains Disconnection & Rejection, Impaired Autonomy & Performance, Impaired Limits, Other-directedness, and Overvigilance & Inhibition were positively associated with transdiagnostic depressive symptoms (rs .451, .365, .289, .298, .345, p < .001), as hypothesized. The joint effect of the five EMS domains was positively associated with transdiagnostic depressive symptoms (Adj. R2 = .18, F(7, 117) = 4.88, p <.001). Interestingly, when holding the other domains constant, only the Disconnection & Rejection domain significantly predicted transdiagnostic depressive symptoms in the model (β = .44, 95% CI [.15, .74], p = .004). The domain groups the beliefs about expectations that one’s needs for security and stability will not be met predictably. Our findings suggest that each EMS domain is positively related to transdiagnostic depressive symptom severity in a university student population. The Disconnection & Rejection domain, relative to the other four domains, seems to uniquely contribute to transdiagnostic depressive symptoms. Future research could test whether identifying and changing the EMSs someone has in psychotherapy could reduce their transdiagnostic depressive symptoms across different psychological disorders. It remains a question if paying specific attention to the Disconnection & Rejection domain in psychotherapeutic treatment could improve the reduction of transdiagnostic depressive symptoms.Show less
This study investigated the correlation between schema domain Overvigilance and Inhibition and the transdiagnostic domain Repetitive Thoughts & Behaviours. The study was conducted using a...Show moreThis study investigated the correlation between schema domain Overvigilance and Inhibition and the transdiagnostic domain Repetitive Thoughts & Behaviours. The study was conducted using a survey and data was collected within a sample of Leiden University students. The two variables were measured with the Young Schema Questionnaire – Short Form Version 3 and DSM-5 Self-Rated Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure – Adult questionnaire respectively, and the survey also included demographic questions such as age, gender, sex, and number of years spent living in The Netherlands. The analysis was done using data from 126 participants in Jamovi Version 2.3.28.0. The sample contained 114 females and 12 males, and the median age was 19 years. Pearson r correlation found a significant positive relationship between the EMS domain Overvigilance & Inhibition and the transdiagnostic domain Repetitive Thoughts & Behaviours (r = 0.392, p<.001). This relationship could be explained by the similarities between the schemas in said domain and the symptomatology measured by the transdiagnostic domain. It could also be driven by a strong correlation of one or multiple of the included schemas, interaction from outside factors, or the characteristics of the sample. Further research needs to explore the independent contribution of each schema and account for alternative explanations. Findings from the study can lead to better understanding of the psychological complaints associated with the transdiagnostic domain at hand and facilitate new treatments, as well as serve as foundation for future research on the topic.Show less
