Relationship between Preceptions of Parental Behavior and Depression and Anxiety in Children: Mediating Role of Early Maladaptive Schemas

Negative perceptions of parental behavior affects a person's cognitive structures and makes him susceptible to psychological pathologies, The aim of this study was to determine the mediating role of early maladaptive schemas in relationship between parental perceptions and depression and anxiety in children. The present study condacted with a correlational research method. Statistical population included all normal students and students referred to counseling center of Bu Ali Sina University of Hamedan in 2013. In this study, both clinical and non-clinical samples were used; the study sample included 69 clinical people and non-clinical 134 people. Clinical sample was selected by convenience sampling and non-clinical one was selected through a multistage cluster method. The instruments used for data collection were Parental Bonding Instrument SCL-90 questionnaire and short form of the Young questionnaire. Data were analyzed using multivariate regression method. The results showed that early maladaptive schemas had a mediating role in relation between perceptions of parental behavior and depression and anxiety in children. Besides, maladaptive schemas of emotional deprivation, social isolation/alienation, vulnerability to harm, dependence/ incompetence, and emotional inhibition mediated more than the other schemes in relation between depression as well as anxiety. Results showed that inappropriate behavior of parents (poor caring and overprotection) played an important role in formation of cognitive and mental vulnerability in children; therefore, determining the mediating role of early maladaptive Schemas in the relationship between perceptions of parental behavior and psychological pathologies can be useful in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders.