An investigation on early maladaptive schema in marital relationship as predictors of divorce

Abstract

This study investigates the early maladaptive schema in marital relationship as predictive of divorce in Isfahan, Iran. The sample includes 150 divorce applicant couples and 155 ordinal couples (for a total of 620 participants). The divorced sample was taken from a group of divorce applicants and court clients, and a random multistaged sampling method was used to select the control group. All sample couples were tested on the Early Maladaptive Schema Scale. In spite of the descriptive statistical methods, the discriminate analysis method was applied to analyze the data in this research. The results of the research confirmed our hypothesis and demonstrated that divorce can be predicted based on early maladaptive schema. The results derived from the data analysis are in line with the research literature that indicates that divorce can be predicted based on early maladaptive schemata. In accordance with an early maladaptive schema approach, a model of divorce prevention and marital therapy can be developed. This research can also be applied in clinical and counseling environments to help problematic couples and couples on the threshold of divorce. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.