Identifying the research priorities for schema therapy: A Delphi consensus study

Abstract

Despite the popularity of schema therapy, there exist several important gaps in research on the schema therapy model and its effectiveness. The number of gaps makes it difficult to determine the research areas of the highest strategic priority to advance schema therapy. The objective of this study was to establish consensus among schema therapy clinicians and researchers on the priority areas for future schema therapy research. A panel of experts in schema therapy (43 clinicians and 13 researchers) participated in a Delphi consensus study. The research areas rated were developed by interviewing the founder of schema therapy, Jeffrey Young, conducting a focus group with the executive board of the International Society for Schema Therapy and screening recent reviews on schema therapy for recommendations for future research. The panel rated 81 research areas in terms of priority across three rounds. Nineteen research areas were rated by 75% of the panel as ‘Very high priority’ or ‘High priority’. These priorities reflected four broad themes: (1) schema therapy constructs and measures, (2) the theoretical assumptions underlying schema therapy, (3) schema therapy and theory in relation to different contexts and outcomes and (4) schema therapy effectiveness and mechanisms of change. The findings are important for establishing a clear research agenda for the future of schema therapy.

A bibliometric analysis of the quantitative schema therapy literature

“…These findings converge with insights from the Delphi consensus study (Pilkington et al, 2023), which indicated that schema therapy Furthermore, our bibliometric analysis did not evidence much in the way of experimental studies. Given that the schema therapy model assumes that EMSs are activated across a wide variety of contexts it may also be beneficial for the field to invest in the design and conduct of studies with an experimental focus.…”

“…Finally, authorship analyses identified several clusters of key collaborators in the field. In the sections that follow, we discuss these findings in detail, highlight where they converge with the findings of the Delphi consensus study on the priorities for future schema therapy research (Pilkington et al, 2023) and outline the implications for research and practice.…”

“…Young et al (2003) posited that mental health and relational problems in adulthood are underpinned by traumatic life experiences that challenge core emotional needs, such as significant others violating needs for stability and safety. The need for research with individuals with complex trauma was also highlighted by the Delphi study findings (Pilkington et al, 2023): The need for research on the effectiveness of schema therapy for complex trauma was the most highly rated priority for future research. The current findings showing the paucity of studies in this area, coupled with the findings of the Delphi study, suggest that complex trauma and PTSD are important topics for further investigation.…”

“…Several of the empirical gaps highlighted above were recognized in a recent Delphi consensus study on schema therapy research priorities (Pilkington et al, 2023). Based on the ratings of an international panel of more than 50 academic and clinical experts in schema ther-…”

Early maladaptive schemas, emotion regulation difficulties and alexithymia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Unmeasured differences in coping may also contribute to the between‐study variation in the strength of the reported associations. Despite the centrality of coping styles and responses to the schema therapy model, few studies have examined the inter‐relationships between coping, emotion regulation processes, and EMSs (Pilkington et al, 2023). This warrants further investigation.…”