Early Maladaptive Schemas' Associations with Big-Five Personality Traits in a Non-Clinical Adult Sample

Authors

  • Aiste Dirzyte aiste.dirzyte@gmail.com
    Faculty of Creative Industries, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Lithuania https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2057-3108
  • Aidas Perminas Department of Psychology, Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6932-2433
  • Aiste Skarnulyte Institute of Psychology, Mykolas Romeris University, Lithuania
  • Indre Gajdosikiene Institute of Psychology, Mykolas Romeris University, Lithuania
  • Rugile Bitinaite Institute of Psychology, Mykolas Romeris University, Lithuania
  • Aleksandras Patapas Institute of Public Administration, Mykolas Romeris University, Lithuania https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5726-8812

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5708/EJMH.19.2024.0015

Keywords:

personality traits, Big Five, early maladaptive schemas, nonclinical samples, well-being

Abstract

Introduction: While personality traits and early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) can affect an individual’s behavior and well-being, the links between these constructs are under-researched, especially in non-clinical samples.

Aims: Two studies were conducted to address these links, intending to explore their specifics, as previous research evidenced various associations’ models.

Methods: In Study 1, the sample consisted of 120 respondents (65.0% females) living in the UK and the USA. In Study 2, the sample consisted of 244 respondents (68.0% females) living in Lithuania. In both studies, most of the respondents were aged 18-25. The survey was administered online. Studies 1 and 2 applied the Big Five Inventory and Young Schema Questionnaire.

Results: In Study 1, neuroticism was significantly positively associated with 17 EMSs. Extraversion stood significantly negatively related to 12 EMSs, conscientiousness was significantly negatively related to 15 EMSs, openmindedness stood significantly negatively related to 2 EMSs, but significantly positively related to admiration, and agreeableness appeared significantly negatively related to 9 EMSs. In Study 2, neuroticism was significantly positively associated with 16 EMSs. Extraversion stood significantly negatively related to 9 EMSs, conscientiousness was significantly negatively related to 12 EMSs, open-mindedness and agreeableness were significantly negatively related to 10 EMSs.

Conclusions: Study 2 partly failed to replicate the results of Study 1, which implies that the model of links between EMSs and personality traits could be impacted by cultural factors, and needs further investigation.

Published 2024-01-31

How to Cite

Dirzyte, A., Perminas, A., Skarnulyte, A., Gajdosikiene, I., Bitinaite, R., & Patapas, A. (2024). Early Maladaptive Schemas’ Associations with Big-Five Personality Traits in a Non-Clinical Adult Sample. European Journal of Mental Health, 19, e0015, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.5708/EJMH.19.2024.0015