Mediating Role of Rumination in the Relationship between Social Anxiety and Depression and Early Maladaptive Schemas

The present research aimed to examine the mediating role of rumination in the relationship between social anxiety and depression and early maladaptive schemas among adolescents. The study conducted with a correlational method. Using multistage random sampling, 330 students were selected from the students at the high schools in Minudasht. The participants completed Young Early Maladaptive Schema Questionnaire-short Form, Response Styles Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents. To investingate the pattern of direct and indirect effects, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was applied. Findings indicated a good fitness of the model to the data. The direct effect of the early maladaptive schemas on social anxiety and depression was significant. Also, the indirect effect of the early maladaptive schemas mediated through rumination on social anxiety and depression was significant. Findings and comparison of direct and indirect effects showed that the direct effect of the early maladaptive schemas on social anxiety and its indirect effect mediated through rumination on depression are stronger compared to other variables. Early maladaptive schemas and rumination can significantly predict social anxiety and depression. According to the findings of the present research, it can be concluded that rumination plays a mediating role between the early maladaptive schemas and social anxiety and depression.