A Comparison of the Early Maladaptive schemas of Suicidal and Non-Suicidal Depressed Patients with Non-Clinical Sample

The purpose of the current study was to compare the schema content of suicidal depressed patients, non-suicidal depressed patients, and non-clinical samples. Based on schema theory (Young, Klosko & Weishaar, 2002), it was expected that schema content differences would likely be obtained on variables including defectiveness/ shame, social isolation/ alienation, vulnerability and failure. In order to evaluate these hypothese, the Young Schema Questionnaire was distributed among three different groups of participants.A total of 63 participants took part in this study, including 16 patients with Major Depressive Disorder who had recently (in the past 3 weeks) attempted suicide, 22 non-suicidal patients with Major Depressive Disorder, and 25 non-clinical participants. Group status was confirmed using the SCID and scores on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Sampling was arranged so that there was no significant difference among groups according to age, education, gender or marital status. All participants completed the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ) 232-item version, and the BDI-II. The YSQ is a comprehensive measure of dysfunctional schemas, and generate scores on 18 schema dimensions in 5 domains. Data were analyzed using MANOVA and MANCOVA, with Tukey post-hoc comparisons and Bonferroni corrections, as appropriate. Findings of the current study indicated overall significant differences among groups on the YSQ schemas. Post hoc analyses indicated that the YSQ differentiated the two depressed groups from the non-clinical participants in all schemas. The two depressed groups were differentiated, however, only on dimensions of “emotional deprivation “dependence/ incompetence”, “vulnerability to harm and illness. The results of the current study are congruent with schema theory of depression, in that a number of predicted differences between suicidal and non-suicidal depressed patients were observed. The vulnerability schema appears to be a critical aspect of suicide risk in depressed patients. Results of the current study support differences in schematic cognitive structures of suicidal depressed, non-suicidal-depressed, and non-clinical sample. Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings, but the results imply that schema-focused interventions may be relevant to reducing risk of suicidal behavior in depressed patients.