Childhood maltreatment and psychotic experiences: Exploring the specificity of early maladaptive schemas.

OBJECTIVE

One potential mechanism that has received limited attention in psychosis research is early maladaptive schemas (EMS). Our aim was to examine whether EMS acts as a potential mediating pathway between early trauma and psychotic symptomology.

METHODS

A quantitative survey was conducted online. N = 302 participants took part. The analysis used a multiple mediation framework.

RESULTS

Analysis demonstrated significant specificity effects. Different forms of child maltreatment were significantly associated with psychosis experiences through specific dimensions of maladaptive schemas.

CONCLUSIONS

Results indicated specificity effects in that specific types of maltreatment are associated with specific maladaptive schemas. From a practitioner's perspective, these findings offer credence to cognitive theories of psychopathology, and support the validity of EMS identification and modification among clients with psychotic symptomology both as a fundamental component of traditional CBT and within specialized schema-focused therapy.