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Cited by 204Child Abuse and TraumaPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology ResearchPsychotherapy Techniques and Applications

Adverse childhood experiences and early maladaptive schemas in adulthood: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Pilkington, Pamela D., Bishop, Amy, Younan, Rita·2021·Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
DOI 10.1002/cpp.2533
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Schema Therapy is based on the theory that trauma and neglect in childhood lead to early maladaptive schemas and psychopathology in adulthood. The aim of this review was to evaluate support for this theory by synthesizing the literature on childhood adversity and schemas. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were completed in compliance with PRISMA. PsycInfo, CINAHL and PubMed were searched to identify eligible studies that reported unadjusted association(s) between adverse childhood events and schema scores when participants were 18 years or older. Meta-analyses were conducted to estimate the pooled effect size of associations between schemas and experiences of childhood adversity. RESULTS: A total of 33 studies met inclusion criteria and provided sufficient data for meta-analyses on childhood experiences relating to toxic frustration of needs (emotional neglect and physical neglect) and trauma and victimization (emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse). Of the 124 meta-analyses, 65 indicated that schemas show small to large correlations with emotional neglect (range: r = .16 [Failure] to r = .51 [Emotional Deprivation]); small to moderate correlations with emotional abuse (range: r = .20 [Vulnerability to Harm] to r = .44 [Emotional Deprivation]); and small correlations with physical neglect, physical abuse and sexual abuse (range: r = .16 [Vulnerability to Harm] to .26 [Emotional Deprivation and Social Isolation]). CONCLUSIONS: Of the 33 included studies, only one used a longitudinal design. However, based on the correlational studies available, early maladaptive schemas in adulthood are associated with a history of childhood abuse and neglect.

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  • Adverse events in early childhood contribute to the development of early maladaptive schemas and dysfunctional schema modes.

    “In addition, adverse events in (early) childhood contribute to the development of early maladaptive schemas (basic mental representations of the self, relationships with others, and the world) and dysfunctional schema modes (encompassing the current emotional, cognitive, and behavioral states of an individual) (15).”

    From Timing of imagery rescripting during schema therapy for borderline personality disorder: the LUCY trial (2023) · cites this paper as [15]

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Authors
Pilkington, P. D., Bishop, A., & Younan, R.
Affiliations
Australian Catholic University (AU)
Corresponding author
Pilkington, Pamela D.
ORCID
Venue
Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2020-12-10
Volume
28
Issue
3
Pages
569-584
ISSN
  • 1063-3995 (ISSN-L)
  • 1099-0879
DOI
10.1002/cpp.2533
OpenAlex
W3109337794
Cited by
204
References
66
Citations by year
2026: 36 · 2025: 55 · 2024: 42 · 2023: 30 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 1
FWCI
1.39
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
Keywords
adverse childhood experiences, early maladaptive schemas, schema therapy, childhood abuse, child neglect, emotional neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional deprivation, vulnerability to harm
MeSH terms
Adverse Childhood Experiences, Adult, Child, Child Abuse, Emotions, Humans, Bullying

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