Relationship between Early Maladaptive Schemas and Perfectionism: Testing a Causal Model

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and perfectionism among students. The study population consisted of Naghadeh Azad University students. Using random cluster sampling, 431 students were selected from different fields of study (226 female and 205 male). They were assessed by short form of Early Maladaptive Schema (YSQ-SF) (Young, 2005) and Perfectionism Questionnaire (Hill et al, 2004). Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Results showed that there were positive significant relationships between components of perfectionism including concern over mistakes, high standards for others, need for approval, perceived pressure, rumination and early maladaptive schemas. Besides, there were negative significant relationships between organization, purposefulness and early maladaptive schemas. The results of structural equating modeling (SEM) showed that the proposed model fit well with the obtained data and perfectionism dimensions have been predicted and explained by early maladaptive schemas.