A Multi-Faceted Evaluation of Impulsivity Traits and Early Maladaptive Schemas in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa

(1) Background: patients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) are classified either as restrictive (ANr) or binge/purge (ANbp) according to the absence or presence of impulsive eating and compensatory behaviors. The aim of the present study was to assess the levels of impulsivity in both AN subtypes and to explore whether individual differences in impulsivity may be explained by differences in the presence of early maladaptive schemas. (2) Methods: the sample group included 122 patients with ANr, 112 patients with ANbp, and 131 healthy women (HW). All of these participants completed the UPPS-P scale for an assessment of impulsive behaviors and the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ-S3) for an assessment of early maladaptive schemas. (3) Results: the patients with ANbp displayed higher levels of impulsivity compared with the patients with ANr and HW. Patients with AN, especially the restrictive subtype, also reported higher levels of early maladaptive schemas than HW, and regression analyses revealed that specific maladaptive schemas partially explain the variability in impulsivity in both patients and HW. (4) Conclusions: it appears that maladaptive beliefs developed during childhood or adolescence may predict the development of impulsivity, a personality trait usually associated with maladaptive behaviors, and appears to be prevalent among ANbp patients. The clinical effects of this, as well as directions for future study, are also discussed in this paper.

El Cuestionario de Esquemas de Young: Adaptación de una Versión Breve a Adolescentes y Jóvenes Españoles

The Young Schema Questionnaire: Adaptation of a short version to Spanish adolescents and young adults Abstract: This study evaluated the psychometric properties of a brief version of the Young-3 Schemas Questionnaire (YSQ-3), which assesses early maladaptive schemas, in Spanish adolescents and young adults. The sample consisted of 1,455 adolescents and young students (54.5% girls, 15-25 years old). They answered the schemas questionnaire and measures of depression, anxiety, hostility, and non-suicidal self-injury. In addition, a subsample of 842 participants completed the schemas questionnaire again six months later. The results confirm the structure consisting of 18 schemas and support the organization of these schemas in five broader domains. The internal consistency of some subscales was low while satisfactory for the domains. The schemas were stable over time and were significantly associated with several psychological problems. The results allow establishing recommendations for the assessment of maladaptive schemas in future research in the field of clinical psychology. Key words: Early maladaptive schemas; depression; anxiety; hostility; non-suicidal self-injury.Resumen: Este estudio evaluó las propiedades psicométricas de una versión breve del Cuestionario de Esquemas de Young-3, que evalúa los esquemas desadaptativos tempranos, en adolescentes y jóvenes españoles. La muestra consistió en 1.455 adolescentes y jóvenes estudiantes (54.5% chicas, 15-25 años). Contestaron el cuestionario de esquemas y medidas de depresión, ansiedad, hostilidad y autolesiones no suicidas. Además, una submuestra de 842 participantes volvió a completar el cuestionario de esquemas breve seis meses más tarde. Los resultados confirman la estructura de 18 esquemas y apoyan la organización de estos en cinco dominios. La consistencia interna de algunas subescalas fue baja mientras que para los dominios fue satisfactoria. Los esquemas fueron estables a lo largo del tiempo y se asociaron significativamente con numerosos problemas psicológicos. Los resultados permiten establecer recomendaciones para la evaluación de los esquemas desadaptativos en la investigación futura en el ámbito de la psicología clínica.Palabras clave: Esquemas desadaptativos tempranos; depresión, ansiedad; hostilidad; autolesiones no suicidas.

The Relationship of Cognitive Characteristics of Personality and Maladaptive Behaviors in the Structure of Individuality in Students

The article presents the data of a statistical study using correlation analysis, which revealed the specifics of the relationship between the severity of rigidity, flexibility, the characteristics of the cognitive style and maladaptive behaviors in the structure of individuality in students. For diagnosis, such methods were used as: G. V. Zalevsky's Tomsk rigidity questionnaire; J. Young Schema Questionnaire; V. T. Kozlov's "Intellectual liability" test; The Stroop Color and Word Test; Rosenzweig Frustration Test; A. Luchin's test for flexibility of thinking; K. Gottshaldt Figures test. A correlation analysis of statistics was used. The study involved 73 university students aged 17–25 years. As the results of the study showed, the higher the cognitive plasticity and intellectual lability of the personality, the more pronounced is the ability to accept personal responsibility in a situation of frustration needs. At the same time, a high level of rigidity (general, relevant, premorbid, rigidity as a state) is associated with the manifestation of maladaptive patterns of behavior adopted in childhood, narrowing the possibilities for optimal self-realization of a person, with the predominance of aggressive actions with fixation on an obstacle in a situation of frustration. Expressed field dependence is associated with a self-defensive strategy for resolving a frustrating situation and fixing on satisfying one’s own needs.

The Young Schema Questionnaire Short Form 3 (YSQ-S3): does the new four-domains model show the best fit?

La existencia de esquemas maladaptativos tempranos (EMTs) es el concepto central de Schema Therapy (ST). Varios estudios han demostrado que los EMS están involucrados en muchos trastornos psiquiátricos. El Young Schema Questionnaire es una medida de autoinforme desarrollada para evaluar los 18 EMTs y tiene versiones de forma larga (YSQ-L) y forma corta (YSQ-S). Actualmente se encuentra en su tercera versión (YSQ-S3). Hasta donde tenemos conocimiento, este es el primer estudio que tiene como objetivo validar el YSQ-S3 de acuerdo con la nueva organización propuesta de EMTs en cuatro dominios. Una muestra no clínica de 1372 estudiantes italianos participó en esta investigación. El análisis factorial confirmatorio (CFA) se realizó para examinar la estructura latente del YSQ-S3, incluidas las estructuras de primer y segundo orden. Se calcularon los coeficientes de correlación alfa e intraclase de Cronbach para evaluar la consistencia interna y la fiabilidad test-retest. Las correlaciones entre el YSQ-S3 y la ansiedad y los síntomas del estado de ánimo se calcularon para medir la validez de constructo. El alfa de Cronbach de casi todos los EMTs fue superior a 0.7, lo que indicó una buena confiabilidad interna, y la confiabilidad test-retest fue excelente. CFA apoya la nueva organización propuesta de EMS en cuatro dominios. Con respecto a la validez concurrente, cada esquema en el YSQ-S3 estaba altamente correlacionado con la ansiedad y los síntomas del estado de ánimo. El nuevo modelo de cuatro dominios del YSQ-S3 ha demostrado que puede ser una herramienta útil y válida para los médicos e investigadores en la medición del autoinforme de los EMTs. The existence of early maladaptive schemas (EMS) is the core concept of Schema Therapy (ST). Several studies have demonstrated that EMSs are involved in many psychiatric disorders. The Young Schema Questionnaire is a self-report measure developed to assess the 18 EMSs and has long form (YSQ-L) and short form (YSQ-S) versions. It is currently in its third version (YSQ-S3). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that aims to validate the YSQ-S3 according to the new proposed organization of EMSs into four domains. A non clinical sample of 1372 Italian population was involved in this research. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted to examine the latent structure of the YSQ-S3, including both first- and second-order structures. Cronbach’s alpha and intra-class correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Correlations between the YSQ-S3 and anxiety and mood symptoms were calculated to measure construct validity. Cronbach’s alpha of almost all EMSs were higher than 0.7, which indicated good internal reliability, and test-retest reliability was excellent. CFA supports the new proposed organization of EMSs into four domains. Regarding concurrent validity, each schema in the YSQ-S3 was highly correlated with anxiety and mood symptoms. The new four-domains model of the YSQ-S3 has demonstrated that it can be a useful and valid tool for clinicians and researchers in the self-report measurement of EMSs.