Early maladaptive schemas and suicidal ideation in depressed patients

Abstract

Background and objectives: Suicidal ideation is a key risk factor for suicidal behaviour among depressed individuals. To explore underlying cognitive patterns associated with suicidal ideation, the present study compared early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) among psychiatric outpatients in treatment for major depressive disorder with and without current suicidal ideation. Methods: The sample consisted of 79 depressed patients who responded to the background questionnaire and completed the Young Schema Questionnaire short form-extended, 21-item Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Hopelessness Scale. Results: Patients with suicidal ideation were more maladaptive in respect to the majority of EMSs compared to those without. After controlling for the concurrent depressive symptom severity and hopelessness 'Vulnerability to Harm or Illness' EMS, which concerns catastrophising beliefs, remained a predictor for suicidal ideation. Conclusion: EMSs may contribute to suicidal ideation among depressed individuals regardless of their mood and future orientation. These results offer implications for the assessment and treatment of suicidality.

Comparison of early maladaptive schemas between borderline personality disorder and chronic depression

“…This study utilized subsamples from two psychiatric outpatient cohorts: one with severe BPD, the Oulu BPD Study ( N = 65, 86.2% women), and one with MDD, the NeuroDep Study ( N = 78, 63.2% women). Both cohorts have previously been used for other research purposes, and detailed measurements and procedures are described in previous publications (Flink et al, ; Leppänen et al, ; Leppänen, Hakko, Sintonen, & Lindeman, ). The participants gave written informed consent before entering the studies.…”

“…women), and one with MDD, the NeuroDep Study (N = 78, 63.2% women). Both cohorts have previously been used for other research purposes, and detailed measurements and procedures are described in previous publications (Flink et al, 2017;Leppänen et al, 2015;Leppänen, Hakko, Sintonen, & Lindeman, 2016 In the case of previous unsuccessful treatment, the treatment may have ended because the patient withdrew from treatment or because the patient was still suffering from severe symptoms despite undergoing treatment. The number of comorbid Axis-I disorders in the BPD group ranged from 0 to 3.…”

Childhood maltreatment and psychotic experiences: Exploring the specificity of early maladaptive schemas

“…This can foster cognitions of vulnerability and humiliation, which have not only been associated with a predisposition to hallucinations and delusions, but are also the likely coexpression of other psychiatric problems (Garety, Kuipers, Fowler, Freeman, & Bebbington, 2001;Kraan et al, 2017). As such, EMS reflect early adverse interaction patterns and have been associated with a broad range of psychiatric illnesses, including anxiety and depression (Cormier, Jourda, Laros, Walburg, & Callahan, 2011;Hawke & Provencher, 2011), suicidal behaviours (Dutra, Callahan, Forman, Mendelsohn, & Herman, 2008;Flink et al, 2017), personality disorders, psychotic symptomology (Bortolon, Capdevielle, Boulenger, Gely-Nargeot, & Raffard, 2013) as well as relational and interpersonal difficulties (Thimm, 2013). Consequently, EMS may prove to be a useful construct through which to examine how delusional and hallucinatory content may manifest.…”

The Mediating Role of Depression Between Early Maladaptive Schema and Pain: A Structural Equation Modelling

“…Researches of both clinical and university samples have provided evidence that EMSs in all ve domains are associated with higher current levels of depressive symptoms (31,32,33,34 ). Most notably, there is substantial evidence that dysfunctional attitudes, which are another form of cognitive vulnerability (35,36,37) and interpersonal vulnerability factors (38,39) predict depressive symptoms when activated by stressful life events.…”