Elucidating the role of Early Maladaptive Schemas for psychotic symptomatology

Although cognitive accounts postulate negative self-concepts as a causal factor in the emergence of psychotic symptoms, little is known about the role of specific self-schemas for psychotic symptomatology. Building on a differentiated and treatment-informed schema model, we aimed to elucidate the role of Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS) for psychotic symptomatology, particularly their specificity to patients with psychosis and their association with positive versus negative symptoms. We assessed EMS with the Young Schema Questionnaire in patients with psychosis (n=81), patients with depression (n=28) as well as healthy participants (n=60). In the psychosis sample symptoms were rated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. In comparison to healthy participants, patients with either psychosis or depression showed a higher overall number and intensity of EMS whereas the psychosis and the depression sample did not significantly differ. The overall number and intensity of EMS were significantly associated with positive but not with negative symptoms. Contrary to previous findings, patients with psychosis and patients with depression did not differ in the EMS subscale Mistrust/Abuse. The results suggest that EMS are particularly relevant to positive symptoms. Our findings imply that addressing maladaptive schemas in patients with psychosis by making use of the schema-concept holds potential.