Early Maladaptive Schemas and Personality Disorder Traits in Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

Abstract. Personality disorders (PDs) are highly prevalent among perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV). Schema Therapy proposes a number of early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) that are involved in the development of PDs. This study examined the prevalence of PD traits in a sample of men who committed violence against their partners and the relationship between EMSs domains and PD traits. With this aim, a sample of 119 convicted men completed the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-SF; Young & Brown, 1994) and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-III;Millon, Millon, & Davis, 1994). The results showed that the most prevalent PD traits were narcissistic (24.6%), obsessive-compulsive (21.9%), and paranoid (17.5%). These PD traits were linked to several EMSs in ways consistent with the Schema Therapy model. Namely, narcissistic PD traits were positively associated with schemas of the impaired limits domain and were negatively associated with the other-directedness domain. The paranoid PD traits were associated with the disconnection and rejection domain and the impaired autonomy and performance domain. Finally, both borderline and antisocial PD traits were associated with the disconnection and rejection domain and the impaired limits domain. These findings suggest that the assessment and modification of EMSs should be a factor to consider for inclusion in the treatment programs for perpetrators of IPV in order to provide comprehensive intervention of this population.

Early maladaptive schemas in individuals with and without B cluster personality disorders

“…Also, these findings are in line with predictions of the SFCT with regards to personality disorders (Karp & Dugas, 2003;Seavey & Moore, 2012;Young, 1990;Young & Klosko, 2005;Young, Klosko, & Weishaar, volume 5(4),  Table 3 Tests of between-subjects effect of group status and gender interaction in maladaptive schemas Dependents 2003). While previous literature supported the role of EMSs in interpersonal problems and personality disorders, particularly borderline and antisocial personality disorders (Arntz, 2010;Arntz, Klokman, & Sieswerda, 2005;Arntz & van Genderen, 2009;Corral & Calvete, 2014;Gullhaugen & Nøttestad, 2012;Thimm, 2013;Özdel et al, 2015), the present findings show the importance of EMSs in emergence of the full range of cluster B personality disorders. Therefore, EMSs could be considered as important susceptibility factors for the development of some personality disorders, particularly the cluster B personality disorders.…”

Early maladaptive schemas associated with dimensional and categorical psychopathology in patients with borderline personality disorder

“…Regarding this issue, Young (1999) first proposed that several EMSs were particularly central to BPD, including those related to abandonment, dependence, mistrust, abuse, subjugation, emotional deprivation, and insufficient self-discipline. In addition, several empirical studies have shown sound evidence for the relationship between the intensity of EMSs and BPD severity, in both clinical and nonclinical populations (Ball & Cecero, 2001;Corral & Calvete, 2014;Meyer, Leung, Feary, & Mann, 2001;Sajadi, Arshadi, Zargar, Mehrabizade Honarmand, & Hajjari, 2015;Shorey, Anderson, & Stuart, 2014;Specht, Chapman, & Cellucci, 2009;Taylor & Reeves, 2007). Despite this progress, it remains unclear whether EMSs are directly associated with relevant aspects of dimensional psychopathology in BPD, such as internalizing symptoms, psychotic-like symptoms, suicidal ideation, or aggressiveness, which could provide a more comprehensive framework on the overall influence of EMSs on people with BPD (Black, Blum, Pfohl, & Hale, 2004;Látalová & Prasko, 2010;Lee, Allen, Black, Zanarini, & Schulz, 2016).…”

Correlation between early maladaptive schemas and violence against women among a representative sample from a Lebanese population: Results of a cross-sectional study

“…An earlier research conducted by Estevez et al revealed a positive association between VAW and the 5 EMSs with higher rations of the disconnection/rejection and the impaired autonomy domains 9,11 . The disconnection/rejection domain involves schemes which indicate that one's safety, empathy, nurturance, recognition and respect needs will not be met 27 . Three schemas were found to be associated with violence: first, the emotional deprivation schema in which a women sense that other individuals are unable to provide the love and care she needs, may join cold and abusive individuals with little affection; the second one is the defectiveness schema in which a women have expectations of being rejected and abused by others could result in women appearing weak and becoming a more probable target of abuse in intimate relations ; the third one is social isolation schema in which a women feel isolated from other people 6 .…”