Early maladaptive schemas and irrational relationship beliefs: The mediating role of efficient conflict resolution styles

The aim of the present study was to investigate the mediating role of effective conflict resolution styles on the relationship between maladaptive early schemas and irrational relationship beliefs. This was done in the framework of causal model. The method was correlation. For this reason 293 female undergraduate and postgraduate students of university of Tehran, Which were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling, completed a Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ), The Irrational Relationship Belief Inventory (IRB) and Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory–II. Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling with AMOS software. Finding revealed that direct effect of early maladaptive schemas and effective conflict solving styles (integration style and compromise style) was significant on irrational relationship beliefs. Also, in the relationship between maladaptive early schemas and irrational relationship beliefs, the effective conflict solving styles had a mediating role. Therefore, therapists can reduce the impact of relationship beliefs in their clients by evaluating early maladaptive schemas and increasing the skills of effective conflict resolution.