Relation between perceived childhood neglect and depression symptoms: investigation of the mediating role of emotional schemas

The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of emotional schemas (adaptive-maladaptive) between childhood trauma and depression symptoms. In a descriptive-cross-sectional research 439 female college students (whit current MDD=92, whit history of MDD in last 12 month=374) from six different branches of Payam-e-Noor University in Tehran were selected via convenience sampling method. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I & II (SCID), Leahy Emotional Schemas Scale (LESS) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) were used in present study. The data were analyzed by path analysis, bootstrap and Sobel test. Results indicated that neglect trauma could significantly predict depression symptoms. The adaptive emotional schemas and adaptive emotional schemas mediated the relationship between neglect trauma and depressive symptoms as well. Our data supports the directive role of neglect trauma, as well as, mediating role of the emotional schemas on depression symptoms. More emphasize on the emotional schemas and history of neglect trauma is recommended to clinicians in the treatment of depression.