Associations between early maladaptive schema domains of parents and their adult children: The role of defence styles

Abstract

Although existing research recognized the associations between early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) of parents and their adult children, the mechanisms that underpin these associations were not fully understood. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to explore the role of defence styles (DSs) on the associations between two EMS domains (Disconnection/Rejection and Impaired Autonomy) of parents and their adult children. Two hundred and fifteen families (i.e., mother, father, and their adult children) participated in the study. Both parents and their adult children were asked to complete Young Schema Questionnaire‐Short Form (YSQ‐SF) and Defence Style Questionnaire (DSQ) to assess their EMS domains and DSs. According to the results of the current study, there were significant associations between Disconnection/Rejection and Impaired Autonomy EMS domains of parents and their adult children, and these associations were mediated by only immature DS of parents and their adult children in a serial mediation model. These results contributed to our understanding of the associations between EMS domains of parents and their adult children through immature DSs. Moreover, our findings highlighted the importance of synthesizing the concepts of different theories to enhance our understanding of mental representations in families.

Early Maladaptive Schemas and Their Impact on Parenting: Do Dysfunctional Schemas Pass Generationally?—A Systematic Review

“…The years with the highest number of publications are 2018 ( n = 2) and 2019 ( n = 2). The research was conducted on the populations of four continents: Europe [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 35 ], Asia [ 36 , 37 , 38 ], North America [ 29 ], and Australia [ 34 ]. All manuscripts were peer-reviewed journal articles.…”

“…The sample size ranged between 40 [ 33 ] and 626 participants [ 37 ]. Most of the studies ( n = 7) concerned parent–child dyads (e.g., mother–daughter).…”

“…Most of the studies ( n = 7) concerned parent–child dyads (e.g., mother–daughter). Two of the studies analyzed included whole families [ 30 , 37 ]. In one study, only parents were assessed [ 31 ].…”

“…The main objectives of the selected studies were: (I) to examine the interrelationship and differences between EMSs among parents and their children [ 29 , 30 , 32 , 33 ]; (II) to evaluate mediating factors between parents’ and children’s EMSs [ 34 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]; (III) examining the relationship between parents’ EMS and the characteristic features of their parenting (i.e., perceived parental competence [ 31 ], quality of the affective bonding [ 35 ].…”

“…Most of the researchers showed significant connections between the intensity of parent’s EMSs and their development in children, which may constitute preliminary evidence confirming the intergenerational transmission of schemas; however, overwhelmingly, the impact is not direct. Researchers used the hypothesis with the assumption of which schema “inheritance” occurs through the child’s schemas responding to those present in their parents, rather than as a simple duplication of schemas between generations [ 29 , 30 , 33 , 37 ]. For example, in the Mącik study, the strongest correlations with the daughter’s EMS were noted for the Vulnerability to harm.…”