Citation

Mertens Y, Yılmaz M, Lobbestael J. Child Abuse Negl. 2020; 104: e104445.

Affiliation

Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands. Electronic address: Jill.Lobbestael@maastrichtuniversity.nl.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104445

PMID

32278927

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is sound evidence that childhood maltreatment increases the likelihood of developing personality disorders (PDs). However, research on the possible mechanisms involved in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and PDs is scarce. One potential mediator of the maltreatment-PD relationship are schema modes, reflecting dynamic states of cognition, emotion, and behaviour. AIMS: The current study aimed to explore the mediating effect of schema modes on the association between childhood maltreatment and the expression of Cluster B (borderline and antisocial) and C (avoidant and dependent) PDs.

METHOD: Within a mixed sample of N = 120 clinical PD patients and non-clinical participants, a multivariate path model including interview-assessed childhood maltreatment (emotional abuse, emotional neglect, sexual abuse, and physical abuse), schema modes (child, parent, coping and healthy modes), and borderline, antisocial, avoidant and dependent PDs was explored.

RESULTS: The path model depicted five significant indirect links from emotional abuse on PDs via distinct schema modes. The impact of emotional abuse on borderline PD was mediated by child and coping modes, while parent modes mediated the link to antisocial PD. Healthy modes acted as a mediator on dependent and avoidant PDs.

CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate emotional abuse as a main predictor of schema mode clusters and emphasize the mediating role of schema modes on the maltreatment-related pathways towards PDs. Therapeutic implications are discussed with a special focus on healthy modes.

Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Childhood maltreatment; Emotional abuse; Mediation model; Personality disorders; Schema modes; Structural Equation Modeling