The mediating role of early maladaptive shemas and cognitive coping on relationship between attachment and simptoms of psychopathology

Mišetić, Irena. (2019). The mediating role of early maladaptive shemas and cognitive coping on relationship between attachment and simptoms of psychopathology. PhD Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Psychology.
(Poslijediplomski doktorski studij psihologije) [mentor Kamenov, Željka].

PDF (Croatian) - Registered users only Download (2MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Introduction: According to cognitive models of psychopathology, insecure attachment is described as one of the possible etiologic factors. It is well-known that the inner working models of attachment, as well as cognitive schemes, affect the attention, recall and interpretation of information in a biased way, supporting the idea that both concepts have common mechanisms and function on comparable way. Given the expectations that the schemas originate from the specificity of parent-child relationship, it is assumed that they contain specific beliefs, or represent cognitive patterns of the working model of attachment, and by maladaptive strategies of emotional regulation, contribute to the emergence of symptoms of psychological disorders. Aim and methodology: The aim of this study was to broaden the understanding of the mechanism of internalized difficulties in the context of the attachment theory, and to this end, to look at the mediation role of early maladaptive schemas and maladaptive cognitive emotional regulation in the relationship between attachment to romantic partner and the symptoms of anxiety and depression. The research sample consisted of clinical group participants with anxiety disorders and mood disorders (N = 269). The research problems were explored via correlation design in which the relationship of attachment, early inadequate schemas, cognitive emotional regulation, and depression and anxiety were studied through the double-mediation model. Results: Research results show a positive correlation between the dimensions of insecure attachment, early maladaptive schemas, maladaptive strategies of cognitive emotional regulation, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. By checking the double-mediation model, the partial mediating contribution of the domain abandonment / instability and the impaired autonomy and performance, as well as the strategy of catastrophizing and selfblame, were determined in relation to the attachment anxiety and depression symptoms. The relationship between attachment avoidance and symptoms of depression was mediated by the partial contribution of domain abandonment / instability and impaired autonomy and performance, and catastrophizing. The relationship between the attachment anxiety and symptoms of anxiety, as well as the relationship between the attachment avoidance and the symptoms of anxiety, was mediated by the partial contribution of the domain of impaired autonomy and performance, and the catastrophizing. Conclusion: People with insecure attachment who have anxiety or depression disorders, show significant manifestations of numerous maladaptive schemas, and use maladaptive strategies of emotional regulation in stressful situations, with increased anxiety and depression. The relationship between anxiety and avoidance attachment and both types of internalized difficulties are mediated by increased expectations of the individual that his needs for security, stability, concern and acceptance will not be met; perceived incompetence for independent functioning and achievement of success, over-balancing the negative side and consequences of a stressful event as well as self-blaming. The findings confirm the initial assumption that working models of attachment can be examined as cognitive schemas, and point to the importance of hyperactivation strategies for individuals with insecure attachment in relation to psychological functioning. In scientific terms, results point out the importance of the role of cognitive factors in psychopathology, and in practical terms can contribute to the enrichment of psychotherapeutic approaches to knowledge of the attachment theory.

Actions (login required)

View Item