Early Maladaptive Schema Domains and Social Phobia Symptoms: Is There a Mediator Role of Emotion Regulation Difficulties?

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the mediator role of emotion regulation difficulties on the relationship between early maladaptive schema domains and symptoms of social phobia. The sample included 240 university students. Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Young Schema Questionaire-Short Form 3 (YSQ) and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) were administered. Analysis revealed that there is a mediator role of emotion regulation difficulties in the relation between Disengagement, Impaired Autonomy and Impaired Limits schema domains and the symptoms of social phobia. Strenghts, limitations and implications of the current study are discussed in the light of relevant research.