Early maladaptive schemas and adult psychopathology – transdiagnostic review and therapeutic utility
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25752/psi.14567Keywords:
Early Maladaptive Schemas, PsychopathologyAbstract
Background: Early maladaptive schemas are dysfunctional cognitive patterns that come up from traumatic experiences and unmet core emotional needs in childhood, comprising memories, emotions, cognitions and bodily sensations that influence thinking and behaviour in a dysfunctional way. They have been linked to the development of psychopathology.
Aims: The authors aim to review the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and adult psychopathology, from a transdiagnostic perspective, and their therapeutic utility.
Methods: Non-systematic review through literature research in PubMed/Medline database, using the keywords “maladaptive schemas” and “psychopathology”, among other works searched. The articles were selected according to their relevance to the topic.
Results: Some studies recognized the presence and relevance of EMP in several mental disorders, particularly in psychosis, mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders (except for generalized anxiety disorder) and eating disorders.
Discussion and Conclusions: Early maladaptive schemas are relevant in several mental disorders, since they are factors of vulnerability and maintenance of psychopathology, so it is worthy to acknowledge them. More robust studies are needed to allow more consistent conclusions about the potential benefit of schema therapy in mental disorders, to reinforce current evidence (still limited).
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