Fundamentals of Mental Health

Fundamentals of Mental Health

The correlation between early maladaptive schemas and body image concern: The mediating role of self-compassion and emotion regulation in women

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Atiye Hassanzadeh Naini 1
Majid Moinizadeh 2
Mohammad Javad Asghari Ebrahimabad 3
1 MSc. in general psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
2 Assistant professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
3 Associate professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
10.22038/JFMH.2024.80212.3133
Abstract
Introduction: The current study aimed to explore the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and body image concern and the mediating role of self-compassion and emotion regulation in women.
 
Materials and Methods: The statistical population of this descriptive and correlational study included all women aged 18 to 45 in Mashhad, Iran, who completed the questionnaires from 2022 to 2023. The convenient sampling method was used to select 400 people completed the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ), Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). We analyzed the data through Pearson's correlation coefficient and path analysis.
 
Results: The findings revealed a significant and negative correlation between the total score of body image concern and reappraisal, alongside a significant and positive correlation between the total score of body image concern and emotional suppression. Additionally, a significant and negative relationship was observed between the total scores of self-compassion and body image concern (P< 0.05).
 
Conclusion: We revealed that self-compassion and emotion regulation variables can serve as crucial mediators in the impact of early maladaptive schemas on body image concern, leading to a reduction in the effect of early maladaptive schemas on body image with increased self-compassion and enhanced emotion regulation.
Keywords
Body image
Early maladaptive schemas
Emotional regulation
Self-compassion
  1. Sarwer D B. Body image, cosmetic surgery, and minimally invasive treatments. Body Image 2019; 31: 302-8.
  2. Iturbe I, Echeburúa E, Maiz E. The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy upon weight management and psychological well‐being of adults with overweight or obesity: A systematic review. Clin Psychol Psychother 2022; 29(3): 837-56.
  3. Rodgers RF, Laveway K, Campos P, de Carvalho PHB. Body image as a global mental health concern. Glob Ment Health (Camb) 2023; 10: e9.
  4. Forbes Y, Donovan C. The role of internalised weight stigma and self‐compassion in the psychological well‐being of overweight and obese women. Aust Psychol 2019; 54(6): 471-82.
  5. Smith M, Wilson K, Janes E, Goodloe J, Guzman A, Sisemore A. Body image and gay men: Adaptation of emotionally-focused family therapy for gay clients with negative body image. Contemp Fam Ther 2022; 44(4): 319-32.
  6. Esmaeilnia M, Dousti Y, Mirzaian B. The role of early maladaptive schema and perfectionism on body dysmorphic disorder mediating through thought fusion, meta-worry, anxiety, and attributional style: A structural model. Avicenna J Neuropsychophysiol 2018; 5(4): 169-78.‏ ‎
  7. Young TR. The relationship between appearance schemas, self-esteem, and indirect aggression among college women. Oklahoma: Oklahoma State University; 2007.
  8. Basile B, Tenore K, Mancini F. Early maladaptive schemas in overweight and obesity: A schema mode model. Heliyon 2019; 5(9): e02361.
  9. Yang J, Klosko J, Vishar M. [Schema therapy: A practical guide for specialists]. Hamidpour H, Andoz Z. (translators). Tehran: Arjamand; 2023. (Persian)
  10. Costa IFD, Tomaz MP, Pessoa GDN, Miranda HDS, Galdino MK. Early maladaptive schemas and harm avoidance as mediating factors between early life stress and psychiatric symptoms in adults. Braz J Psychiatry 2020; 42(5): 489-95.
  11. Saadatmand E, Mahmoud Alilou M, Esmaeilpour K, Hashemi T. Investigating the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder mediated by self-compassion. Iranian journal of psychiatric nursing 2022; 10(1): 64-75. (Persian)
  12. Abedi A, Sepahvandi MA, Mirderikvand F. Investigating the role of early maladaptive schemas in body image disturbance. Journal of advanced pharmacy education and research 2018; 8(S2): 51-57. ‌
  13. Akbari M. The effect of national pride on social adjustment with mediated emotion cognitive regulation strategies (Case study: Undergraduate students of Mazandaran University). National studies journal 2021; 22: 67-89. (Persian)
  14. Yap K, Mogan C, Moriarty A, Dowling N, Blair-West S, Gelgec C, et al. Emotion regulation difficulties in obsessive-compulsive disorder. J Clin Psychol 2018; 74(4): 695-709. 
  15. Nicol A, Kavanagh PS, Murray K, Mak AS. Emotion regulation as a mediator between early maladaptive schemas and non-suicidal self-injury in youth. J Behav Cogn Ther 2022; 32(3): 161-70.‏
  16. Salgó E, Bajzát B, Unoka Z. Schema modes and their associations with emotion regulation, mindfulness, and self-compassion among patients with personality disorders. Borderline Personal Disord Emot Dysregul 2021; 8(1): 1-14.‏
  17. Chen S, Zhou W, Luo T, Huang L. Relationships between mental health, emotion regulation, and meaning in life of frontline nurses during the COVID-19 outbreak. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13: 798406.‏
  18. Kraiss JT, Ten Klooster PM, Moskowitz JT, Bohlmeijer ET. The relationship between emotion regulation and well-being in patients with mental disorders: A meta-analysis. Compr Psychiatry 2020; 102: 152189.‏
  19. Momeñe J, Estévez A, Herrero M, Griffiths MD, Olave L, Iruarrizaga I. Emotional regulation and body dissatisfaction: The mediating role of anger in young adult women. Front Psychiatry 2023;14: 1221513.
  20. Prefit AB, Cândea DM, Szentagotai-Tătar A. Emotion regulation across eating pathology: A meta-analysis. Appetite 2019;143(1): 1-14.
  21. Mifsud A, Pehlivan MJ, Fam P, O'Grady M, van Steensel A, Elder E, et al. Feasibility and pilot study of a brief self-compassion intervention addressing body image distress in breast cancer survivors. Health Psychol Behav Med 2021; 9(1): 498-526.
  22. Zhu F, Zhang W, Liu C, Qiang W, Lu Q. Association of self-compassion and body image disturbance among young breast cancer patients: Mediating effect of body surveillance and body shame. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs 2023;10(4): 100199.‏
  23. Cannavò M, Cella S, Gullo, J, Barberis N. Self-compassion and body shame: Observing different pathways from body surveillance to eating disorders symptoms. J Affect Disord Rep 2024; 17: 100816.‏
  24. Gilbert P, Irons C. Focused therapies and compassionate mind training for shame and self-attacking. In: Gilbert P. (editor). Compassion: Conceptualisations, research and use in psychotherapy. England; Oxfordshire: Routledge; 2005: 263-325.
  25. Gilbert P, Procter S. Compassionate mind training for people with high shame and self-criticism: Overview and pilot study of a group therapy approach. Clin Psychol Psychother 2006; 13(6): 353-79.
  26. Pyszkowska A, Stojek MM. Early maladaptive schemas and self-stigma in people with physical disabilities: The role of self-compassion and psychological flexibility. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19(17): 10854.‏
  27. Faustino B, Vasco AB, Silva AN, Marques T. Relationships between emotional schemas, mindfulness, self-compassion and unconditional self-acceptance on the regulation of psychological needs. Res Psychother 2020; 23(2): 442.
  28. Jung J, Forbes GB, Lee Y-J.  Body dissatisfaction and disordered eating among early adolescents from Korea and the US. Sex Roles 2009;61: 42-54.
  29. Rosenqvist E, Konttinen H, Berg N, Kiviruusu O. Development of body dissatisfaction in women and men at different educational levels during the life course. Int J Behav Med 2023; 17: 1-12.
  30. Prnjak K, Hay P, Mond J, Bussey K, Trompeter N, Lonergan A, et al. The distinct role of body image aspects in predicting eating disorder onset in adolescents after one year. J Abnorm Psychol 2021; 130(3): 236.‏
  31. Yousefi N, Etemadi A, Bahrami F, Fatehizadeh MS, Ahmadi SA. [Examining the psychometric indices of the Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMSs) Questionnaire]. Journal of psychology 2009; 14(2): 18. (Persian)
  32. Littleton H, Axsom DK, Pury CLS. Development of the body image concern inventory. Behav Res Ther 2005; 43(2): 229-41.
  33. Ahmadi Z. [The relationship between concern about body image and irrational thoughts and narcissism]. Proceeding of the 4th Congress on Interdisciplinary Researches in Islamic Humanities, Jurisprudence, Law and Psychology; 2021. (Persian)
  34. Basak-Nejad S, Ghaffari M. [The relationship between fear of body dysmorphia and psychological disorders of university students]. Journal of behavioral sciences 2007; 2: 179-87. (Persian)
  35. Ghadakzadeh S, Ghazipour A, Khajeddin N, Karimian N, Borhani M. Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI) for identifying patients with BDD seeking rhinoplasty: Using a Persian (Farsi) version. Aesthetic Plast Surg 2011; 35: 989-94.
  36. Qasimpour A, Ilbigi R, Hassanzadeh S. Psychometric characteristics of Gross and John emotional regulation questionnaire in an Iranian sample. Iran: The 6th Student Mental Health Conference, 2011, 722-24.
  37. Raes F, Pommier E, Neff KD, Van Gucht D. Construction and factorial validation of a short form of the self‐compassion scale. Clin Psychol Psychother 2011; 18(3): 250-55.
  38. Khanjani S, Foroughi AA, Tahmasebi A, Bavafa A, Jaberghaderi N, Rafiee S. Factorial structure and construct validity of an Iranian version of the Fear of Compassion Scale: A study in nurses. Iranian journal of nursing and midwifery research 2020; 25(6): 490-96.‏
  39. Yakın D, Gençöz T, Steenbergen L, Arntz A. An integrative perspective on the interplay between early maladaptive schemas and mental health: The role of self-compassion and emotion regulation. J Clin Psychol 2019; 75(6): 1098-113.
  40. Nejati S, Rafienia P, Sabahi P, Rajezi Esfehani S. [The comparison of emotion regulation strategies in obese women with negative and positive body image]. Iranian journal of cognition and education 2014; 1(1): 1-6. (Persian)
Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 26, Issue 5
2024
Pages 325-334