A Study of Gender difference in early maladaptive schemas and coping styles: A schema-focused approach

This study explores the gender differences in early maladaptive schemas and coping styles with a schema focused approach. The sample consists of 779 university students (479 women and 300 men) which were selected from different universities in Tehran by convenient sampling. Young Schema Questionnaire, Young–Rygh Avoidance Inventory and Young Compensation Questionnaire were administered. Statistical significance of differences in groups were measured by independent T-test. The findings suggest that there is a gender difference in some maladaptive schemas and coping styles between men and women. The findings about schema domains show that there is a gender difference in 3 domains (inhibition and hypervigilance, disconnection and rejection and impaired limits) and that the men’s scores in these domains where higher than women’s. In the 2 other domains (autonomy and other-directedness) there were no gender differences between men and women. Also men and women had significant differences in surrender and compensation coping styles, which in both, the men’s scores were higher than women. There were no gender differences in avoidance style between the groups.