The relationship between early maladaptive schemas and interpersonal relationship patterns in individuals with adverse childhood experiences

Context and relevance. Contemporary research in childhood and social development increasingly focuses on the long-term consequences of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) for interpersonal functioning in adulthood. Within the schema-oriented framework, early maladaptive schemas (EMS) are conceptualized as stable cognitive-emotional structures that mediate behavior in interpersonal relationships. However, empirical evidence regarding specific behavioral interpersonal patterns among individuals with ACEs in non-clinical samples remains limited. Objective. To identify the characteristics of interpersonal behavior in individuals with adverse childhood experiences through the analysis of associations between EMS domains, interpersonal relationship types, and indicators of interpersonal dependency. Hypothesis. It is assumed that the presence of adverse childhood experiences is associated with higher levels of early maladaptive schemas, particularly within the domains of “Disconnection and Rejection” and “Impaired Autonomy and Performance”, as well as with the formation of dysfunctional interpersonal patterns, including increased dependency, suspiciousness, and submissive behavior. Methods and materials. The study involved 94 participants aged 20-30 years. The following instruments were used: the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ-S3R), the Interpersonal Diagnosis of Personality (Leary’s Interpersonal Relations Test), the Interpersonal Dependency Inventory (IDI), and the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman’s correlation analysis with Bonferroni correction. Results. Participants with ACEs demonstrated higher levels of schemas within the domains “Disconnection and Rejection” and “Impaired Autonomy and Performance,” as well as specific features of interpersonal behavior, including increased suspicious and submissive relationship styles and decreased authoritarian and egocentric styles with the strengthening of certain schemas. The “Impaired Autonomy and Performance” domain showed systematic associations with interpersonal dependency, indicating difficulties in autonomous functioning within relationships. In the ACE group, specific correlation patterns were identified between schemas and interpersonal behavior types, reflecting a combination of dependency, avoidance of dominance, and mistrust toward interaction partners. The findings expand current understanding of early maladaptive schemas in individuals with adverse childhood experiences and provide directions for further research, as well as for the development of preventive and therapeutic interventions. Conclusions. Adverse childhood experiences are associated with higher levels of early maladaptive schemas, particularly within the domains of “Disconnection and Rejection” and “Impaired Autonomy and Performance.” These schemas are linked to specific patterns of interpersonal functioning, including increased interpersonal dependency, submissive and suspicious relationship styles, as well as decreased dominance. The findings support the role of early maladaptive schemas as psychological mechanisms mediating the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and interpersonal functioning.

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