The mediating role of family psychological inflexibility in the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and borderline personality

The role of cognitive schemas and object relations in personality disorders has been of interest among the researchers and therapists. Yet, the mechanism of this vulnerability is not well known.The aim of the present study was to investigate the mediating role of psychological flexibility in the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and borderline personality symptoms. This was a correlational research based on structural equation modeling. Statistical population was included all students from the University of Tabriz in 2018-2019 academic years. 300 students was selected by multistage cluster sampling technique. Tools was Young Schema Questionnaire–short form (YSQ-SF), Schizotypal Trait questionnaire-B form (STB), The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II), Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ), Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Engaged Living Scale (ELS). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results showed a significantly correlation between early maladaptive schemas and borderline personality symptoms, early maladaptive schemas and psychological flexibility, and borderline personality symptoms and psychological flexibility. Also, early maladaptive schemas due to psychological inflexibility had positive and significant effects on borderline personality symptoms. (P<0.05). The research model was confirmed. So, it can be concluded that not only borderline personality symptoms was affected by bad-functioning in maladaptive schemas but also the symptoms of this disorder were aggravated by psychological inflexibility.