Investigating the relationship between Early Maladaptive Schemas and Mental Health According to the Mediating Role of Alexithymia in Incompatible Couples

Subject Areas : Journal of Excellence in counseling and psychotherapy

Monavareh Khalili Asl ¹ , Qumarth Karimi ²

1 - Department of Psychology, Mahabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mahabad, Iran
2 - Department of Psychology, Mahabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mahabad, Iran

Received: 2017-06-24 Accepted : 2017-07-13 Published : 2017-08-23

Keywords: mental health, alexithymia, early maladaptive schemas, Incompatible Couples,

Abstract :

Purpose: The main aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between maladaptive Schemas and mental health according to the mediating role of alexithymia in incompatible couples in the Miandoab city. Methodology: Research method was descriptive- correlational. 76 incompatible couples in Miandoab city that referred to counseling centers were selected by purposeful sampling. Data were selected using Young Maladaptive Schemas Questionnaire (2006), Goldberg and Hillier Mental Health Scale (1979) and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (1994). Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to test the normality of the data.  Pearson correlation test and path analysis were used to test the research hypotheses. Results: The results showed that there was a negative and significant correlation between early maladaptive Schemas and mental health (p≤0.05), negative and significant correlation between alexithymia and mental health (p≤0.05) and positive and significant correlation between early maladaptive schemas and alexithymia (p≤0.05). Also path analysis showed that direct effect of early maladaptive schemas on mental health was negative and significant (p≤0.05). Furthermore results revealed that indirect effect of early maladaptive schemas on mental health with regard the effect of alexithymia was negative and significant (p≤0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that maladaptive schemas has a direct effect on both mental health and alexithymia, and alexithymia act as a mediating variable between early maladaptive schemas and mental health. The results of this study have practical implications for considering alexithymia as an important mediating variable.