Validation of the Romanian Version of the Young Positive Schema Questionnaire in the General Population

Early adaptive schemas (EASs) are a recent extension of schema theory, conceptualized as positive cognitive-emotional patterns that arise when core psychological needs are consistently met during early development. Although early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) have been extensively linked to psychopathology, empirical research on EASs remains comparatively limited. Our study aimed to validate the Young Positive Schema Questionnaire (YPSQ) in a nonclinical Romanian sample (N = 1309). The original 14-factor structure showed excellent fit, the YPSQ subscales demonstrated adequate to good internal consistency, and construct validity was supported by theoretically consistent associations with EMSs, personality traits, psychological well-being, and psychological distress. As hypothesized, EASs were negatively associated with irrational beliefs and positively associated with rational beliefs, extending evidence on the construct validity of EASs to cognitive constructs derived from rational emotive behavior therapy. Exploratory hierarchical regression analyses further indicated that EASs explained additional, although modest, variance in depression, stress, and anxiety beyond EMSs, providing evidence of incremental validity. Overall, the findings support the Romanian YPSQ as a psychometrically sound measure of EASs and reinforce the value of assessing adaptive schemas alongside maladaptive schemas. Further longitudinal and moderation-based research is needed to clarify whether EASs contribute prospectively to resilience or buffer the effects of risk factors on psychological distress.