The higher-order structure of early maladaptive schemas: A meta-analytical approach
BackgroundEarly maladaptive schemas (EMSs) are themes regarding oneself and one's relationship with others. In schema therapy, 18 EMSs are described that were initially proposed to be clustered in five domains. The current EMS model comprises four domains. However, empirical investigations into...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1053927/full |
| _version_ | 1797987728365715456 |
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| author | Jens C. Thimm Jens C. Thimm |
| author_facet | Jens C. Thimm Jens C. Thimm |
| author_sort | Jens C. Thimm |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundEarly maladaptive schemas (EMSs) are themes regarding oneself and one's relationship with others. In schema therapy, 18 EMSs are described that were initially proposed to be clustered in five domains. The current EMS model comprises four domains. However, empirical investigations into the grouping of EMSs have yielded divergent results. The purpose of the present study was to use a meta-analytical approach to examine the higher-order organization of EMSs.MethodsTo be included in the statistical analyses, studies had to report the associations between all 18 EMSs using a form of the Young Schema Questionnaire. In a systematic literature review in PsycInfo, Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Google scholar, 27 studies were identified that reported the associations between EMSs in 33 independent samples (N = 13,958, Mage = 16–72.3 years, 64.0% female). The correlations between EMSs were pooled across samples and analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and principal component analysis (PCA).ResultsThe CFA results showed weak support for any of the previously suggested EMS domains. After PCA, four EMS domains were retained that closely resembled the theoretically proposed organization of EMSs. The four components showed fair to good congruence in the clinical and non-clinical subsamples. However, a model with three EMS domains showed a simpler structure.DiscussionThe results suggest a need for further theoretical and empirical clarification of the higher-order structure of EMSs.Systematic review registrationhttps://osf.io/57wyz. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T07:51:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-41b7b5623d0f4cce94a8a7766a2ecc93 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T07:51:22Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-41b7b5623d0f4cce94a8a7766a2ecc932022-12-22T04:36:03ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402022-12-011310.3389/fpsyt.2022.10539271053927The higher-order structure of early maladaptive schemas: A meta-analytical approachJens C. Thimm0Jens C. Thimm1Centre for Crisis Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, NorwayDepartment of Psychology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, NorwayBackgroundEarly maladaptive schemas (EMSs) are themes regarding oneself and one's relationship with others. In schema therapy, 18 EMSs are described that were initially proposed to be clustered in five domains. The current EMS model comprises four domains. However, empirical investigations into the grouping of EMSs have yielded divergent results. The purpose of the present study was to use a meta-analytical approach to examine the higher-order organization of EMSs.MethodsTo be included in the statistical analyses, studies had to report the associations between all 18 EMSs using a form of the Young Schema Questionnaire. In a systematic literature review in PsycInfo, Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Google scholar, 27 studies were identified that reported the associations between EMSs in 33 independent samples (N = 13,958, Mage = 16–72.3 years, 64.0% female). The correlations between EMSs were pooled across samples and analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and principal component analysis (PCA).ResultsThe CFA results showed weak support for any of the previously suggested EMS domains. After PCA, four EMS domains were retained that closely resembled the theoretically proposed organization of EMSs. The four components showed fair to good congruence in the clinical and non-clinical subsamples. However, a model with three EMS domains showed a simpler structure.DiscussionThe results suggest a need for further theoretical and empirical clarification of the higher-order structure of EMSs.Systematic review registrationhttps://osf.io/57wyz.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1053927/fullearly maladaptive schemas (EMS)schema domainsmeta-analysisconfirmatory factor analysisprincipal component analysis |
| spellingShingle | Jens C. Thimm Jens C. Thimm The higher-order structure of early maladaptive schemas: A meta-analytical approach Frontiers in Psychiatry early maladaptive schemas (EMS) schema domains meta-analysis confirmatory factor analysis principal component analysis |
| title | The higher-order structure of early maladaptive schemas: A meta-analytical approach |
| title_full | The higher-order structure of early maladaptive schemas: A meta-analytical approach |
| title_fullStr | The higher-order structure of early maladaptive schemas: A meta-analytical approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | The higher-order structure of early maladaptive schemas: A meta-analytical approach |
| title_short | The higher-order structure of early maladaptive schemas: A meta-analytical approach |
| title_sort | higher order structure of early maladaptive schemas a meta analytical approach |
| topic | early maladaptive schemas (EMS) schema domains meta-analysis confirmatory factor analysis principal component analysis |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1053927/full |
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