Early Maladaptive Schemas and Aggressive Sexual Behavior: A Preliminary Study with Male College Students

ABSTRACTIntroductionThe influence of adverse early attachment experiences on the development of aggressive sexual behavior has been demonstrated. Nonetheless, there is a gap in the literature regarding the conceptualization of this behavior according to developmental psychopathology models.AimThe purpose of the present study was to investigate a potential association between Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMSs) and aggressive sexual behavior.MethodsA total of 166 male college students participated in the study. Participants were divided into two comparative groups according to data from the Sexual Experiences Survey—Short Form Perpetration (SES‐SFP): Group of individuals with history of aggressive sexual behavior (N = 37) and Group of individuals without history of aggressive sexual behavior (N = 129).Main Outcome MeasuresAggressive sexual behavior was measured by the SES‐SFP, and EMSs were measured by the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ‐S3).ResultsResults showed that students who have committed any form of sexually aggressive behavior exhibited significantly higher levels of EMSs from the Disconnection and Rejection domain (namely, Mistrust/Abuse schema), from the Impaired Autonomy and Performance domain (namely, Dependence/Incompetence schema), and from the Overvigilance and Inhibition domain (namely, Negativity/Pessimism schema).ConclusionsThese preliminary findings suggest that the EMSs were associated with aggressive sexual behavior, but further investigation is warranted. Sigre‐Leirós VL, Carvalho J, and Nobre P. Early maladaptive schemas and aggressive sexual behavior: A preliminary study with male college students. J Sex Med **;**:**–**.