Psychometric Properties of the Italian Version of the Young Schema Questionnaire L-3: Preliminary Results

Abstract

Schema Therapy (ST) is a well-known approach for the treatment of personality disorders. This therapy integrates different theories and techniques into an original and systematic treatment model. The Young Schema Questionnaire L-3 (YSQ-L3) is a self-report instrument, based on the ST model, designed to assess 18 Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMSs). During the last decade, it has been translated and validated in different countries and languages. This study aims to establish the psychometric properties of the Italian Version of the YSQ-L3. We enrolled two groups: a clinical (n = 148) and a non-clinical one (n = 918). We investigated the factor structure, reliability and convergent validity with anxiety and depression between clinical and non-clinical groups. The results highlighted a few relevant findings. Cronbach's alpha showed significant values for all the schemas. All of the factor models do not seem highly adequate, even if the hierarchical model has proven to be the most significant one. Furthermore, the questionnaire confirms the ability to discriminate between clinical and non-clinical groups and could represent a useful tool in the clinical practice. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

The Association between Food Addiction and Early Maladaptive Schemas in Overweight and Obese Women: A Preliminary Investigation

“…All of the participants were administered the Italian version of the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) [ 34 ], the Young Schema Questionnaire Long Form, Third Edition (YSQ-L3) [ 35 ], the Binge Eating Scale (BES) [ 36 ], and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) [ 37 ].…”

Factor Structure of the Young Schema Questionnaire (Long Form‐3)

“…Total scores are then averaged to indicate the level of each of the individual's schemas, with an average score of four or more suggested to be clinically meaningful (Lavergne, Marie, & Mehran, 2015;Young & Brown, 2003). Saggino et al (2018) reported high internal consistency for the 18 EMS in the YSQ-L3 in both their clinical (α ranged between .80 and .92) and non-clinical samples (α ranged between .83 and .94).…”

“…Aside from the aforementioned studies, there is limited available literature on the factor structure of any of the long forms, including the English version of the YSQ-L3. The only other study on the YSQ-L3 was undertaken on the Italian version by Saggino et al (2018) using a large non-clinical (N = 918) and small clinical sample (N = 148). The absence of such investigations also highlights the lack of a clear methodological and statistical process for deriving the most pertinent items for a given EMS to include in the short-form YSQ, of which most schema research is based.…”

“…The first HOF was labelled Emotion Dysregulation and is a unique factor solution compared to other studies on the psychometrics of earlier versions of this questionnaire (Lee et al, 1999;Saggino et al, 2018;Schmidt et al, 1995). This new schema domain consisted of the Entitlement, Punitiveness (Other), Fear of Losing Control, Insufficient Self Control, Emotional Constriction, Punitiveness (Self), Vulnerability to Harm and Negativity/Pessimism factors.…”

Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy in Groups for Over-Regulated Personality Disorders: A Single Case Study

“…Marco experienced Narcissistic PD, with obsessive-compulsive, avoidant and passive-aggressive traits as assessed with the SCID-II (First et al, 2003). Maladaptive schemas were assessed with the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ; Saggino et al, 2018), showing heightened schemas of abandonment, abusemistrust, submissiveness and unrelenting standards. He had problems in emotion regulation assessed via the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS; Sighinolfi et al, 2010).…”