Adolescent Maladaptive Schemas and Childhood Abuse and Neglect: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

The Influence of Early Maladaptive Schemas on Recovery and Psychological Capital in Borderline Personality Disorder Clients: Findings From Rural Dwelling Sample

INTRODUCTION

Early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) are among the key vulnerability factors explaining the development and persistence of symptoms in borderline personality disorder (BPD). Furthermore, it was suggested that EMSs might impact recovery-related outcomes, including psychological and recovery capital, among individuals with BPD.

AIMS

To investigate the relationship among EMSs, psychological and recovery capital in individuals with BPD disorder.

METHOD

A descriptive correlational research design was conducted in Minya Outpatients' Psychiatric Hospital Clinic, using the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-S2), Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ) and Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS) to collect data from 200 individuals with BPD.

RESULT

The findings suggest that EMSs significantly correlated with the total psychological and recovery capital scores (0.119, 0.024 and -0.025, 0.05). Moreover, linear regression analyses exhibit that EMSs, regarding social isolation failure and vulnerability to harm, are significant negative predictors of recovery capital (t = -2.760, p = 0.006 and t = -3.919, p < 0.001, respectively).

IMPLICATION

The complex interplay between EMSs and recovery-related outcomes provides valuable insights for planning and implementing structured psychotherapeutic interventions based on specific schema patterns. Our existing findings can also serve as a valuable reference for mental health nursing in clinical practice by enhancing their understanding of the underlying causes of maladaptive behaviours commonly seen in BPD, allowing them to tailor patient-centred care interventions and thereby reduce the risk of relapse.

Early Maladaptive Schemas and Celebrity Worship: The Mediating Role of Sense of Coherence and Difficulty in Emotion Regulation

The rise of social media has led to increased interest among researchers in understanding the psychological mechanisms underlying the growing fascination with celebrities. Using structural equation modeling, the present study examined the relationship between early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) in the disconnection and rejection domain and celebrity worship, with difficulty in emotion regulation and sense of coherence serving as mediators. An online survey was administered to 837 students (77.8% female) from 11 Iranian universities. The survey included brief versions of the Young Schema Questionnaire, Sense of Coherence Questionnaire, Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale, and Celebrity Worship Scale. The results indicated a significant correlation between maladaptive schemas and celebrity worship. Using structural equation modeling, the direct relationship between EMSs related to disconnection and rejection and celebrity worship was not significant. However, the indirect path through difficulty in emotion regulation and sense of coherence was significant. These findings provide insight into the mechanisms underlying celebrity worship and highlight the importance of emotion regulation and sense of coherence in understanding this phenomenon.

Child Maltreatment and Harsh Parenting: The Role of Maternal Chronic Relational Strains

While prior research indicates that parents who were maltreated as children are more likely to engage in negative parenting behaviors, less is known about how mothers' social relationships may influence these practices. Yet parenting behaviors are influenced not only by the individual characteristics of the parent and child, but also by the social context that exists around the parent-child dyad. The aim of the current cross-sectional study was to test a model examining the effect of mothers' exposure to child maltreatment on harsh parenting practices, as observed in the lab, and the mediating role of strain in mothers' relationships. Seventy-eight mother-child dyads, with children ranging from 18- to 36-months old, were recruited from the community; mothers completed self-report measures of childhood trauma and relational strains, and were observed during a stressful parent-child interaction in the lab. Results indicated that higher child maltreatment was associated with harsher parenting, indirectly via greater chronic relational strains. These findings contribute important knowledge on how mothers' trauma history may influence their current social context to affect parenting behavior. Therapeutic approaches focused on alleviating maternal relational strains, including interventions that target other important people in a mother's circle, may yield more parenting benefits than parent training without a systemic approach.

Methods for Modeling Early Life Stress in Rodents

Animal models of early life stress/adversity (ELS) have provided a foundation from which our understanding of the psychoneuroimmunology of childhood trauma has expanded over recent decades. Rodent models are a cornerstone of the ELS literature with many studies utilizing paradigms based on early life separation/deprivation protocols and manipulating the cage environment. However, no animal model is perfect. In particular, the lack of standardization across ELS models has led to inconsistent results and raised questions regarding the translational value of common preclinical models. In this chapter, we present an overview of the history of ELS rodent models and discuss considerations relevant to the ongoing efforts to both improve existing models and generate novel paradigms to meet the evolving needs of molecular- and mechanism-based ELS research.

How does childhood emotional abuse aggravate problematic mobile phone use among Chinese adolescents: roles of rumination and depression symptoms

Problematic mobile phone use (PMPU) is a significant concern, particularly among adolescents. Accumulating evidence indicates that early traumatic events, such as childhood emotional abuse (CEA), are predisposing factors for adolescent PMPU. The primary objective of the current study was to examine the relationship between childhood emotional abuse (CEA) and problematic mobile phone use (PMPU) among adolescents, as well as to explore the potential mediating roles of rumination and symptoms of depression. Data were collected from Chinese senior high school students (N = 489, 44.79% males and 55.21% females, Mage = 16.92 years, SD = 0.67) who completed the measures of CEA, rumination, depression symptoms, and PMPU. The results revealed that (1) CEA did not have a direct effect on PMPU among adolescents; (2) CEA was associated with PMPU through rumination and depression symptoms, separately; (3) CEA was linked to PMPU via a sequential pathway from rumination to depression symptoms. The present study has unveiled the roles of CEA, rumination, and depression symptoms in the development of PMPU among adolescents. More precisely, rumination and depression symptoms serve indirect roles in the relationship between CEA and adolescent PMPU.

Early Maladaptive Schemas and Dissociative Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Dissociation is an underresearched and important clinical construct associated with impaired functioning and poor quality of life. Improved understanding of the modifiable correlates of dissociation can inform early detection and effective treatments. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesise the evidence on the associations between dissociative symptoms and early maladaptive schemas (EMSs).

METHOD

The reviewed studies reported unadjusted association/s between dissociative symptoms and EMS/s and were published in English in peer-reviewed journals. PsycINFO, PubMed and CINAHL Complete databases were searched on 17 April 2024, and citation searches were completed on 27 April 2024. Random-effects meta-analyses were completed to evaluate the magnitude of the associations between dissociative symptoms and each of the 18 EMSs. Methodological quality was assessed using the AXIS tool.

RESULTS

A total of nine cross-sectional studies published between 2001 and 2023 were included (pooled N = 2300). Dissociative symptoms were positively correlated with 14 of the 18 EMSs. The largest associations were with the defectiveness/shame (r[7] = 0.45, 95% CI [0.34, 0.56]), vulnerability to harm (r[5] = 0.45, 95% CI [0.30, 0.58]) and social isolation schemas (r[8] = 0.39, 95% CI [0.25, 0.51]). Moderate to considerable heterogeneity was present in 14 of the meta-analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

The emerging findings suggest EMSs are important cognitive correlates of dissociation that warrant increased empirical attention. In particular, longitudinal research is needed to explore temporal causality. Additional research could examine whether targeting EMSs relating to feeling unlovable, isolated and vulnerable to harm can help ameliorate dissociative symptoms.

Harsh parenting, amygdala functional connectivity changes across childhood, and behavioral problems

BACKGROUND

Harsh parenting in early childhood is related to offspring's adverse behavioral outcomes. Due to the scarcity of longitudinal neuroimaging data, few studies have explored the neurobiological underpinnings of this association, focusing on within-person variability. This study examined the temporal associations among harsh parenting, later behavioral problems, and the developmental trajectories of amygdala volume and amygdala resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) profiles, using longitudinal neuroimaging data.

METHODS

The study was embedded in the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) cohort. T1-weighted (296 children, 642 scans) and resting-state functional scans (256 children, 509 scans) were collected at ages 4.5, 6, 7.5, and 10.5 years. Amygdala volume and RSFC between the amygdala and six brain regions that have leading roles in emotional regulation were extracted. Harsh parenting at 4.5 years and child behavioral problems at 10.5 years were assessed via parent-report questionnaires. Linear regression and linear mixed models were applied.

RESULTS

Harsh parenting was associated with more severe externalizing problems in girls (β = 0.24, 95% CI 0.08-0.40) but not boys (pint = 0.07). In the overall sample, harsh parenting was associated with the developmental trajectories of amygdala-ACC, amygdala-OFC, and amygdala-DLPFC RSFC. In addition, the developmental trajectory of amygdala-ACC RSFC mediated the harsh parenting-externalizing problems association in girls (indirect effect = 0.06, 95% CI 0.01-0.14).

CONCLUSIONS

Harsh parenting in early childhood was associated with amygdala neurocircuitry development and behavioral problems. The developmental trajectory of amygdala-ACC RSFC is a potential neural mechanism linking harsh parenting and externalizing problems in girls.

The Impact of Positive and Adverse Experiences in Adolescence on Health and Wellbeing Outcomes in Early Adulthood

This study evaluated the associations between positive and adverse experiences and environments in adolescence and health, education and employment outcomes in early adulthood. Data were extracted from the Longitudinal Studies of Australian Youth cohort that commenced in 2003. The items were conceptually mapped to Positive and Adverse Youth Experiences and environments (PYEs and AYEs) at 15, 16 and 17 years old and outcomes at 25 years old. The associations between PYEs, AYEs and general health, mental health, education and employment were examined, including testing whether PYEs mitigated the association between AYEs and outcomes. A higher number of AYEs was associated with poorer health, education, and employment outcomes. Conversely, a higher number of PYEs was correlated with positive outcomes. The participants with higher PYEs had significantly greater odds of better general and mental health outcomes, even after accounting for AYEs. This relationship was not observed for employment or education outcomes. Adolescence and the transition to adulthood are critical developmental stages. Reducing adverse experiences and environments and increasing positive ones during adolescence could enhance adult wellbeing.

The effect of childhood sexual abuse on depressive symptoms in female college students: a serial mediation model

Objective

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) can have a negative impact on women's psychological, emotional and social functioning. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between CSA and depressive symptoms in female college students, as well as the mediating roles of negative core schema and experiential avoidance.

Methods

515 female college students responded to the Sexual Abuse subscale of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Depression subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, the Brief Core Schema Scales, and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire - II. The structural equation modeling was used for the mediation analysis.

Results

There was a significant positive correlation between CSA and depressive symptoms in female college students. The theoretical model was well fitted, χ2/df = 3.422, RMSEA = 0.069, CFI = 0.929, TLI = 0.919. The negative core schema played a mediating role between CSA and depressive symptoms. Experiential avoidance played a mediating role between CSA and depressive symptoms. The negative core schema and experiential avoidance played a serial mediating role between CSA and depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

These results deepen our understanding of the relationship between CSA and depressive symptoms in female college students, and provide theoretical guidance for the prevention of depression in female college students. Attention should be paid to female college students who have experienced CSA, to eliminate the adverse influence of negative core schema on these students. Meanwhile, we should teach female college students to accept themselves as they are, and thereby reduce their use of experiential avoidance strategies.

COVID-19-related stress exacerbates the effect of child maltreatment on negative affect via increased identity confusion during adolescence

INTRODUCTION

Exposure to childhood maltreatment may undermine the crucial developmental task of identity formation in adolescence, placing them at risk for developing negative affect. The current study investigated whether COVID-19-related stress intensified the indirect link between child maltreatment and adolescents' negative affect through identity confusion.

METHOD

Using multidimensional assessments of child maltreatment (threat vs. deprivation), the study included a sample of 124 adolescents (Mage  = 12.89, SD = 0.79; 52% female) assessed before (January 2018 to March 2020) and during the pandemic (May to October 2020) in Georgia, United States. The majority of the participants were European American (78.8%), followed by African American (11.5%), Hispanic (3.8%), Asian/Pacific Islander (1.0%), and other (4.8%). We used structural equation modeling to test (a) the mediating role of identity confusion in the link between childhood maltreatment and negative affect and (b) whether COVID-19-related stress moderated these indirect effects. Simple slopes and Johnson-Neyman plots were generated to probe regions of significant interaction effects.

RESULTS

Threat and deprivation predicted an increase in adolescent identity confusion. Additionally, childhood threat and deprivation were indirectly linked to adolescents' negative affect through increased levels of identity confusion. COVID-19-related stress significantly exacerbated the link between identity confusion and negative affect.

CONCLUSION

Identity confusion is a mechanism underlying the link between child maltreatment and the development of negative affect in adolescence. Our results inform prevention and intervention programs that aim to reduce negative affect among adolescents who experience threatening and depriving rearing environments.

The long-term impact of early adverse experience on adaptive functioning: a pilot study integrating measures of mental status, nonverbal communication, and heart rate variability

Background: Childhood maltreatment (CM) can disrupt the development of behavioural and physiological systems, increasing the risk of physical and psychological adverse outcomes across the lifespan. CM may cause interpersonal dysfunctions that impair social communication and lead to dysfunctional activation of the autonomic nervous system. The present exploratory study analyzed the long-term impact of CM from an integrated perspective through the simultaneous assessment of psychological symptoms, social and behavioural communication, and physiological regulation.

Methods: Participants were 55 healthy university students (9 males and 46 females; mean age ± SD = 25.26 ± 2.83 years), who filled out a battery of questionnaires to assess the presence of CM (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire) and psychopathological symptoms (Symptom Check-List-90 Item Revised). Participants were then subjected to a videotaped interview for the assessment of non-verbal behaviour (Ethological Coding System for Interviews) and measurement of tonic heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of physiological adaptability to the environment. We performed Pearson's correlation analysis to evaluate the associations between non-verbal behaviour, HRV, and CM variables. Multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent associations between CM variables on HRV and nonverbal behaviour.

Results: We found an association between more severe CM, increased symptoms-related distress (ps < .001), less submissive behaviour (ps < .018), and decreased tonic HRV (ps < .028). As a result of multiple regression analysis, participants with a history of emotional abuse (R² = .18, p = .002) and neglect (R² = .10, p = .03) were more likely to display decreased submissive behaviour during the dyadic interview. Moreover, early experience of emotional (R² = .21, p = .005) and sexual abuse (R² = .14, p = .04) was associated with decreased tonic HRV.

Conclusion: Our preliminary findings show the utility of analyzing the long-term effects of adverse early experiences at different levels of ‘adaptive functioning’ (the capabilities needed to respond effectively to environmental demands).

Substantial traumatic experiences during childhood, such as emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and sexual abuse were associated with lower heart rate variability levels in a sample of young adults.

Young adults with a history of emotional abuse and neglect were more likely to display decreased submissive behaviour (ethological behaviour) during the dyadic interview.

Severe childhood maltreatment was associated with increased symptoms-related distress, less submissive behaviour (ethological behaviour), and decreased tonic heart rate variability in young adults.

Reciprocal associations between early maladaptive schemas and depression in adolescence: long-term effects of childhood abuse and neglect

BACKGROUND

Adolescent depression has grown to be a major social concern in China. During the coronavirus pandemic, the incidence of depression among Chinese adolescents increased substantially. More research is required to inform the prevention and intervention of adolescent depression in China. Depression is associated with Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMSs). Childhood abuse and neglect are distal antecedents of adolescent depression. It is not known how depression and EMSs interact in adolescence and how childhood abuse and neglect contribute to this relationship. This study aimed to examine the reciprocal relationships between depression and EMSs, as well as the long-term effects of childhood abuse and neglect on depression and EMSs during adolescence. The work also investigates gender differences in these mechanisms.

METHODS

Using a two-wave longitudinal design, we recruited 3,485 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 13.2; 43.2% females) from three Shanxi Province, China middle schools. All participants completed self-report questionnaires addressing childhood abuse and neglect, depression, and EMSs. Structural equation models examined reciprocal relationships between depression and EMS, as well as the effect of childhood abuse and neglect on depression and EMSs. Multi-group analysis addressed gender differences.

RESULTS

Results indicated that greater depression predicted more EMSs measured later, but EMSs did not predict subsequent depression. Childhood abuse and neglect had different effects on depression and EMSs during adolescence. Specifically, exposure to childhood abuse related to more severe depression and EMSs in adolescence and contributed to the perpetuation of EMSs by increasing depression. Exposure to childhood neglect showed a direct effect on depression and indirectly reinforced subsequent EMSs through depression. There were no gender differences.

CONCLUSION

These findings contribute to a better understanding of the emergence and course of depression in early adolescence, suggesting that childhood abuse and neglect are critical early risk factors. Additionally, depression plays a key role in promoting schema perpetuation among adolescents exposed to childhood maltreatment, providing important implications for relevant prevention and intervention in early adolescence.

Association between adverse childhood experiences and marital status among Japanese older adults

BACKGROUND

Marital status is a well-known social determinant of health. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) affect attachment, critical to establishing and maintaining intimate relationships, such as marital status.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the association between ACEs and marital status among older Japanese adults.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

This research used data from a nationwide population-based study among functionally independent people aged 65 and above in Japan.

METHODS

ACEs were assessed by self-reported questionnaires on the following experiences before 18 years old: parental death, parental divorce, parental mental disease, exposure to intimate partner violence, physical abuse, psychological neglect, psychological abuse, and poverty. Marital status was asked as currently having a spouse (including common-law marriage), widowed, divorced, or unmarried. Associations between the total number of ACEs and marital status were analyzed by multinomial logistic regression.

RESULTS

Three or more ACEs showed higher risks of being widowed, divorced, or unmarried. Psychological neglect led to higher divorce risks among males (RRR, 95%CI = 1.41, 1.13-1.76) and females (RRR, 95%CI = 1.56, 1.28-1.89). Childhood poverty showed higher risks of unmarried among males (RRR, 95%CI = 1.25, 1.02-1.53) and females (RRR, 95%CI = 1.41, 1.18-1.69). Association between ACEs and divorce risks showed gender differences (RRR, 95%CI of having three or more ACEs in males: 2.19, 1.66-2.90; in females: 3.45, 2.71-4.38; p for interaction = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONS

ACEs showed higher risks of being widowed, divorced, and unmarried among older Japanese people. Policy to tackle ACEs and research investigating how ACEs, attachment, and relationship quality influence marital status are required to promote well-being in later life.

Early maladaptive schemas, emotion regulation difficulties and alexithymia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Emotion regulation is an integral part of the schema therapy model. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesize the evidence on the associations between early maladaptive schemas (EMSs), difficulties with emotion regulation and alexithymia.

METHOD

PsycINFO, PubMed and CINAHL Complete databases were searched on 28 May 2022 and 3 February 2023 in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Included studies were in English, in peer-reviewed journals and reported on the association between one or more of the 18 EMSs or five schema domains and emotion regulation difficulties or alexithymia. Methodological quality was assessed using the Appraisal Tool for Cross-Sectional Studies. Meta-analyses were conducted to examine difficulties with emotion regulation and alexithymia as correlates of each EMS and domain.

RESULTS

A total of 19 studies published between 2008 and 2022 were included (Pooled N = 5957). Difficulties with emotion regulation were positively correlated with all 18 EMSs (range: entitlement r(7) = .28, 95% CI [.13, .42] to negativity pessimism r(5) = .53, 95% CI [.23, .74]) and schema domains (range: impaired limits r(5) = .34, 95% CI [.08, .56] to disconnection rejection r(5) = .44, 95% CI [.33, .73]). Alexithymia was positively correlated with the other-directedness domain (r(2) = .40, 95% CI [.09, .64]) and 16 of the 18 EMSs (range: unrelenting standards r(5) = .21, 95% CI [.12, .28] to emotional inhibition r(5) = .50, 95% CI [.34, .63]).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggested that almost all 18 EMSs are implicated in emotion regulation difficulties and alexithymia, particularly those relating to unmet needs for attachment and autonomy.

Resilience and Strategic Emotional Intelligence as Mediators between the Disconnection and Rejection Domain and Negative Parenting among Female Intimate Partner Violence Victims

(1) Background: The exposure of children to intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with a wide range of negative effects on children's development, where as parenting practice is considered to be one of the key factors mediating and mitigating this. Studies have found mixed results regarding the impact of female IPV victimization on maternal parenting practice; however, the most frequently tested hypothesis suggests that the cumulative stress of the IPV experience may emotionally deregulate the mother, contributing to an increased risk of neglected and abusive parenting practices. Little is still known about the factors determining the observed differences in maternal parenting practices among IPV victims. Thus, in our study, we use mediation models to provide preliminary results exploring the role of resilience and strategic emotional intelligence in the relationship between women's disconnection and rejection (D/R) schema domain and maternal parenting practice among IPV victims. (2) Methods: A total of 48 female survivors of IPV and 48 age-matched women with no prior experience of IPV completed a set of tests examining parenting practices, the D/R domain, resilience and emotional intelligence. (3) Results: IPV victimization was associated with significantly higher rates of negative parenting practices. The D/R domain was found to be a significant predictor of parental autonomy attitude and level of parental competence, and these relationships were fully mediated by resilience with strategic emotional intelligence and resilience, respectively. (4) Conclusions: The results shed light on the under-researched relationship between early maladaptive schemas and parenting behavior in the context of IPV. The implications for clinical practice and further research can be drawn based on the study findings.

Early maladaptive schemas in substance use disorders in the Indian context: Theoretical and therapeutic implications

Schema theory seems to be a relevant perspective in the overall understanding of substance use disorders (SUDs). Early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) are defined as self-defeating emotional and cognitive patterns that begin early in our development, repeat throughout life, and act as risk factors for mental health problems and substance use (SU). SU behavior acts as a means by which users attempt to avoid triggering the unpleasant and negative emotions inherent in their elevated schema. Thus, SU is often seen as a coping mechanism in schema theory. This has important implications in terms of assessment, treatment, and planning of interventions. Schema therapy would be a valuable addition to the current therapy practice, which emphasizes a dual focus on both SU and EMSs and uses an integrated framework of cognitive, behavioral, and experiential techniques to target and modify EMSs.

Childhood trauma, peer victimization, and non-suicidal self-injury among Chinese adolescents: a latent variable mediation analysis

BACKGROUND

Childhood and peer experiences can influence adolescents' perceptions of interpersonal relationships, which can, in turn, influence their emotional states and behavior patterns. Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is now a common problem behavior among adolescents. The present study examined the role of childhood trauma and peer victimization in adolescents' NSSI.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1783 adolescents (1464 girls and 318 boys) in the psychiatric outpatient clinics or wards of 14 psychiatric hospitals or general hospitals in nine provinces in China. Data were collected using the Multidimensional Peer Victimization Scale (MPVS), Short-form Childhood Trauma Questionnaire(CTQ-SF), and Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation (FASM). Structural equation modeling (SEM) with latent variables was used to demonstrate the mediating role of peer victimization in the association between childhoodtrauma and NSSI.

RESULTS

The SEM analysis demonstrated that peer victimization plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between childhood trauma and NSSI. In addition, several covariates (such as age, gender, education level, and place of residence) effectively regulated the relationship between peer victimization and NSSI.

CONCLUSION

In future studies of NSSI among Chinese adolescents, attention should be paid to the roles of childhood trauma and peer bullying; there is a temporal sequence between these two variables and, to some extent, childhood trauma can have an impact on bullying during adolescence which, in turn, influences NSSI behavior.

Early Maladaptive Schemas and Their Impact on Parenting: Do Dysfunctional Schemas Pass Generationally?-A Systematic Review

There are several factors that play a key role in the development of early maladaptive schemas, i.e., temperament, unmet core emotional needs, and adverse childhood events (e.g., traumatization and victimization, overindulgence, overprotection). Thus, the parental care that a child experiences has a substantial impact on the potential development of early maladaptive schemas. Negative parenting can range from unconscious neglect to overt abuse. Previous research supports the theoretical concept that there is a clear and close relationship between adverse childhood experiences and the development of early maladaptive schemas. Maternal mental health problems have been proven to be a factor that has strengthened the link between a mother's history of negative childhood experiences and subsequent negative parenting. Consistent with the theoretical background, early maladaptive schemas are associated with a wide variety of mental health problems. Clear links have been found for EMSs and personality disorders, depression, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In light of these theoretical and clinical connections, we decided to summarize the available literature on the multigenerational transmission of early maladaptive schemas, which is also an introduction to our research project.