The relationship between early maladaptive schemas and interpersonal problems: A meta-analytic review

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Psychotherapy

Background:

• Early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) are proposed to underlie interpersonal difficulties.
• A significant clinical contention is that EMSs negatively impact or cause interpersonal problems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the association between EMSs and interpersonal problems.
• To identify specific EMSs most linked to interpersonal issues.
• To explore moderators and causal evidence in the EMS-interpersonal problem relationship.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search and meta-analysis were performed.
• PRISMA guidelines were adhered to for systematic review.
• Data from 49 empirical studies were synthesized.

Main Results:

• A moderate positive association was found between EMSs and interpersonal problems.
• Individual EMSs demonstrated small to moderate effect sizes in their relationship with interpersonal problems.
• Limited empirical evidence currently supports a causal link from EMSs to interpersonal problems.

Conclusions:

• EMSs are moderately associated with interpersonal problems, with varying strengths for different schemas.
• Further research is needed to establish causality and explore moderating factors.
• The findings have implications for understanding schema-driven interpersonal dysfunction.