The predictive roles of emotional schemas and difficulties in emotion regulation in high-risk behaviors among female university students

The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive role of emotional schemas and difficulties in emotion regulation in high-risk behaviors among university students. The research method was descriptive and correlational, and statistical population included all students from Kosar University of Bojnord. The Sample of 325 (female) students were selected by random cluster sampling. Research tools were the Young’s Risk Behavior Scale (YRBS; Brener et al, 1995), Emotional Schemas Scale (LESS; Leahy, 2002) and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS; Gratz & Roemer, 2004). To analyze the data, methods of descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression were employed. Findings indicated that some components of Emotional Schemas like, Emotional Self-awareness, Consensus, and Acceptance of feelings were negatively and Comprehensibility, Rumination, Guilt, and blame were positively associated with high-risk behaviors. In addition, some factors of difficulties in emotion regulation such as, Difficulties Engaging in Goal-Directed Behavior, Impulse Control Difficulties, Lack of Emotional Awareness, Limited Access to Emotion Regulation Strategies, and Lack of Emotional Clarity were predicted high-risk behaviors. Findings of present study showed that failure in the perception and dysregulation of emotions may susceptible a person to experience emotional distress which probably high risk behaviors was chosen as a mean to relieve negative emotions. Findings of present study showed that Failure in the perception and dysregulation of emotions may susceptible a person to experience emotional distress which probably high risk behaviors was chosen as a mean to relieve negative emotions.