Correlation of Early Maladaptive Schemas and Attachment Styles with Interpersonal and Social Skills in Students of Islamic Azad Universities of Tehran

People with a secure attachment style and fewer schemas can use interpersonal and social skills to find their place in social interactions with their peers and adults. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between early maladaptive schemas and attachment styles with interpersonal skills and social skills in students of Islamic Azad Universities of Tehran.

The research method was descriptive correlation. The statistical population of this study consisted of students of Islamic Azad Universities of Tehran (Science and Research, Central Tehran, South Tehran, North Tehran, East Tehran, West Tehran) in 1399, of which 300 students were sampled in Available were selected. To collect data from the demographic questionnaire, the "Early -Maladaptive Schema Questionnaire", the "Attachment Styles Questionnaire" and the "Interpersonal Communication Skills Questionnaire" Questionnaire) and the "Evaluation of Social Skills Questionnaire" were used. The validity of the instruments was measured using content validity by qualitative method and reliability by internal consistency method by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Data analysis was analyzed in SPSS . 26 and Smart PLS 3.

Interpersonal skills in 2 components of self-management and implementation and other orientation (Initial Maladaptive Schemas Questionnaire) are correlated with secure attachment style (P<0.05), but the correlation of avoidant attachment style and ambivalent attachment style and 3 components of cutting, impaired limitations and tinnitus (initial maladaptive schemas questionnaire) and interpersonal skills are rejected (P<0.05). The strongest correlation between interpersonal skills and secure attachment style is with a correlation coefficient of 0.620. Of the 3 attachment styles and 5 components of schemas, only the correlation of 2 secure and avoidant attachment styles with social skills was confirmed (P<0.05). But the correlation of all 5 components of schemas and the correlation of ambivalent attachment style and social skills were rejected (P<0.05).

The component of self-management and implementation and the component of other-directedness and secure and avoidant attachment styles are correlated with social and interpersonal skills. Considering the role of primary maladaptive schemas and attachment styles in interpersonal skills and social skills, it is suggested to use “Schema Therapy” and “Attachment Therapy” in order to improve the interpersonal and social skills of students.