Do emotional abuse and personality traits predict early maladaptive schemas and social anxiety

Abstract

This study investigates the model that personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion) and emotional abuse (peers and parents) predict the worsening of early maladaptive schemas and social anxiety symptoms in seven years old children. A total number of 210 first grade students were administered the following questionnaires: (1) Parental and Peer Emotional Abuse Questionnaire (2) NEO Personality Questionnaire (short form), (3) Young Early Maladaptive Schemas (short form), and (4) Lagerca Social Anxiety Questionnaire. The findings of path analysis indicated that emotional abuse predicted the early maladaptive schemas, which in turn predicted social anxiety symptoms in children. Emotional abuse and personality characteristics did not have any effects on social anxiety. Neuroticism had a direct effect on early maladaptive schemas and social anxiety. There was precisely no significant correlation between personality trait dimensions (neuroticism, extroversion), and emotional abuse on early maladaptive schemas and social anxiety. © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.