Background: The identification of variables affecting suicidality and the search for interventions to reduce suicide risk are priorities among mental health researchers. A promising direction for such research is schema therapy and its two main constructs, i.e., early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) and schema modes. Methods: This systematic review was designed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. It summarizes the studies conducted to date that describe the relationship between EMSs and schema modes and measures of suicidality in individuals over the age of 16. Results: The review confirmed that there are many significant associations between EMSs (especially from the Disconnection/Rejection domain) and suicide risk. Although only one study was found that explores the association between schema modes and suicidality, the correlations it identified are also confirmed here. Discussion: The results show the unquestionable importance of EMSs and schema modes in assessing suicide risk. The co-occurrence of these variables represents the first step in further assessing causality and introducing schema therapy techniques into work with patients who are at risk of suicide. This issue requires more extensive experimental research.
(1) Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive and destructive phenomenon. There is a need for an integrated and comprehensive approach to IPV in order to align prevention, support and treatment. Still little is known about the cognitive and affective markers of IPV that are modifiable. Such knowledge, therefore, can support the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs. In this study, we put forward a hypothesis that, after accounting for the influence of sociodemographic variables, the domains of early maladaptive schemas (EMS) and strategic emotional intelligence would provide additional information for predicting female IPV victimization. (2) Methods: 48 female survivors of IPV and 48 age-matched women with no prior experience of IPV completed the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form 3 (YSQ-SF3) and The Emotional Understanding Test (TRE). (3) Results: The domains of disconnection and rejection and impaired limits were significant predictors of IPV victimization, but the results did not support the predictive value for impaired autonomy, other-directedness and strategic emotional intelligence. (4) Conclusions: Our findings add to the emerging evidence of a link between disconnection and rejection domain and IPV victimization. As a consequence, maladaptive beliefs that interpersonal relationships are unstable and insecure and expose to the risk of humiliation and harm, and that basic emotional needs cannot be satisfied in close relationships, are associated with a higher risk of intimate partner violence. In this context, schema therapy appears to be a promising support for IPV victims.
(1) Background: The search for new strategies to diagnose people at risk of suicide and to help them is highly significant in view of the still high rate of suicidality. Schema therapy and its core constructs, i.e., early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) and schema modes, correspond to both directions. (2) Methods: This study compared the severity of EMSs and schema modes in a clinical group of suicide risk, a clinical non-suicidal group, and a control group. Intragroup comparisons were also conducted between times of crisis and psychological stability. The evaluation was supported by controlling for the psychopathological symptoms presented, following the dimensional concept. (3) Results: The unquestionable relevance of the disconnection/rejection domain in suicidality has been proven. The importance of EMSs from other domains, especially during psychiatric crises, was confirmed. Among the schema modes, child and Punitive Parent modes proved to be the most significant. There were changes in coping modes but of a lesser effect size. The protective importance of the Healthy Adult and Happy Child modes was also proven. (4) Conclusions: The results provide an indication for practitioners about the EMSs and schema modes most associated with suicide risk. They can also serve as a framework for deepening the issue of identifying and preventing suicidality in schema therapy.
(1) Background: Schema therapy and working with schema modes is increasingly popular. Since there is no validated tool to measure schema modes in Poland, in this study, we present an assessment of the psychometric properties of the Polish version the Short Schema Mode Inventory (SMI) adaptation. (2) Methods: First, the original version of the scale was translated. Subsequently, a validity and reliability study was conducted on a sample of 240 patients and 400 non-patients. In particular, the factor structure of the inventory was checked, internal reliability and intercorrelations between subscales were tested, differences between the clinical and non-clinical groups in terms of the severity of each factor were examined, and construct validity was assessed by comparing the association of results with external variables. (3) Results: The results did not conclusively confirm the 14-factor structure postulated in the original scale. Nevertheless, the relatively best fit indices were obtained for such a model. The internal reliability for the 14 subscales ranged from 0.74 to 0.95 (McDonald’s omega). Correlations between subscales demonstrated values from 0.03 to 0.72. The existence of differences between the clinical and non-clinical groups and the construct validity were confirmed. (4) Conclusions: The psychometric evaluation performed is mostly similar to the results obtained for other adaptations, and the results justify the inventory being used for research and clinical purposes when knowledge of its limitations is included.
28 June 2019 in Psychiatria i Psychologia Kliniczna
(1) Background: The study presents an assessment of the psychometric properties of the Polish version the Short Schema Mode Inventory (SMI) adaptation. (2) Methods: First, the original version of the scale was translated. Subsequently, a validity and reliability study was conducted on a sample of 240 patients and 400 non-patients. In particular: the factor structure of the inventory was checked, internal reliability and intercorrelations between subscales were tested, differences between the clinical and non-clinical groups in terms of the severity of each factor were examined, and construct validity was assessed by comparing the association of results with external variables. (3) Results: The results did not conclusively confirm the 14-factor structure postulated in the original scale. Nevertheless, relatively the best fit indices were obtained for such a model. Internal reliability for the 14 subscales was in the acceptable to excellent range. Correlations between subscales took moderate to high values. The existence of differences between the clinical and non-clinical groups and the construct validity were confirmed. (4) Conclusions: The psychometric evaluation performed is mostly similar to the results obtained for other adaptations, and the results entitle the inventory to be used for research and clinical purposes with the knowledge of its limitations.