A Cross-Comparison of Early Maladaptive Schemas in Girls Dependent on Drugs, Girls with Drug Dependent Family, and Ordinary Girls

The aim of this study was to compare the early maladaptive schemas of girls aged 15 to 20 years old in four groups of girls dependent on drugs, girls with drug dependent family, addicted girls with drug dependent family, and ordinary girls. To this end, data were collected in form of a causal-comparative study using Young Schema Questionnaire (short form including 75 items). The statistical population of the study included two groups: high school girls who were drug addicts or had a drug addicted family and the second group included all adolescent girls of Tehran with no dependency on drugs neither themselves nor their family. For the first group, the sample which was selected through available method included 130 girls, out of whom 123 subjects cooperated with the researcher. For the second group, the sample which was also selected through available method included 150 girls, out of whom 132 subjects cooperated with the researcher. The data were analyzed through ANOVA. Results showed that abandonment and emotional inhibition schemas are higher among ordinary girls, entitlement schema among drug dependent girls, and vulnerability and enmeshment schemas among the girls with drug dependent family. Moreover, the results indicated that early maladaptive schemas are effective in the formation of inefficient coping styles and dependency of adolescents on drugs.