Childhood maltreatment and psychotic experiences: Exploring the specificity of early maladaptive schemas
Year: 2018
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: One potential mechanism that has received limited attention in psychosis research is early maladaptive schemas (EMS). Our aim was to examine whether EMS acts as a potential mediating pathway between early trauma and psychotic symptomology. METHODS: A quantitative survey was conducted online. N = 302 participants took part. The analysis used a multiple mediation framework. RESULTS: Analysis demonstrated significant specificity effects. Different forms of child maltreatment were significantly associated with psychosis experiences through specific dimensions of maladaptive schemas. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated specificity effects in that specific types of maltreatment are associated with specific maladaptive schemas. From a practitioner's perspective, these findings offer credence to cognitive theories of psychopathology, and support the validity of EMS identification and modification among clients with psychotic symptomology both as a fundamental component of traditional CBT and within specialized schema-focused therapy.
Source: Journal of Clinical Psychology
DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22690
Authors: David Boyda, Danielle McFeeters, Katie Dhingra, Laura Rhoden
Institutions: University of Wolverhampton, Leeds Beckett University
Language: English
Topic: Child Abuse and Trauma
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2887356105