Impact of Childhood Psychological Abuse On Adult Patterns of Interpersonal Behavior: Role of Early Maladaptive Schemas

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore the role of the individual’s Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS) in determining the outcomes of experiencing Interpersonal Problems in the aftermath of Emotional Abuse in their childhood. The basic study model proposed that the EMS of an individual will play a mediating role between experiencing emotional abuse in the early life and developing interpersonal problems in later life. A sample of university students (n=332) from all over Pakistan consented to participate in the online survey and completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (Bernstein & Fink, 1996), Young’s Schema Questionnaire (Young, 2005), and Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (Horowitz et al., 2000). Results of the study indicated significant associations between emotional abuse, domains of early maladaptive schemas and interpersonal problems. Furthermore, early maladaptive schemas significantly mediated the relationship between emotional abuse and interpersonal problems. It is discussed that frustration of the core emotional needs through abusive early life experiences may lead towards the formation of maladaptive schemas and beliefs, which then play a role in giving rise to interpersonal problems. Limitations and recommendations for practice and research and further directions are also discussed.