Cited by 79Personality Disorders and PsychopathologyAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesPsychological Treatments and Assessments

Early Maladaptive Schemas and Schema Modes in clinical disorders: A systematic review

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Bär, Andreas, Bär, Hannah E., Rijkeboer, Marleen M., Lobbestael, Jill·2023·Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice

Abstract

Purpose: Although schema therapy has been predominantly applied to treat personality disorders, interest into its application in other clinical disorders is growing. Central to schema therapy are Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS) and Schema Modes. Since existing EMS and Schema Modes were primarily developed in the context of personality disorders, their relevance for clinical disorders is unclear. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the presence of EMS and Schema Modes in clinical disorders according to DSM criteria. Per disorder, we evaluated which EMS and Schema Modes were more pronounced in comparison with clinical as well as non‐clinical control groups and which EMS and Schema Modes were most highly endorsed within the disorder. Results: Although evidence concerning EMS was scarce for several disorders, and only few studies on Schema Modes survived inclusion criteria, we identified meaningful relationships and patterns for EMS and Schema Modes in various clinical disorders. Conclusions: The present review highlights the relevance of EMS and Schema Modes for clinical disorders beyond personality disorders. Depending on the theme of the representation, EMS act as vulnerabilities both across diagnoses and for specific disorders. Thus, EMS and resulting Schema Modes are potential, valuable targets for the prevention and treatment of clinical disorders.

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  • Because underlying schema structures are recognized as contributing to psychological suffering, many therapeutic approaches target them to foster long-term change.

    “Because these underlying structures are recognized as contributing to psychological suffering, many therapeutic approaches target them to foster long-term change [10-13].”

    From Schema-Informed Digital Mental Health Intervention for Maladaptive Cognitive-Emotional Patterns: Randomized Controlled Trial (2025) · cites this paper as [11]

    The Background describes early maladaptive schemas as stable beliefs and discusses schema therapy for a range of clinical disorders. General clinical implications says treating underlying vulnerabilities may be advisable when patients do not benefit from first-line treatments or relapse. The paper does not establish that many therapeutic approaches target schemas specifically to foster long-term change. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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Research works printed but not linked: 8

  1. Bach, B., Lee, C., Mortensen, E. L., & Simonsen, E. (2016). How do DSM-5 personality traits align with schema therapy constructs? Journal of Personality Disorders, 30, 502-529.
  2. JCP.v67n0215 · DOI
  3. Basile, B., Tenore, K., Luppino, O. I., & Mancini, F. (2017). Schema therapy mode model applied to OCD. Clinica Neuropsychiatry, 14(6), 407-414.
  4. Lobbestael, J., van Vreeswijk, M., & Arntz, A. R. (2007). Shedding light on schema modes: A clarification of the mode concept and its current research status. Netherlands Journal of Psychology, 63, 76-85.
  5. Oshima, F., Iwasa, K., Nishinaka, H., & Shimizu, E. (2015). Early maladaptive schemas and autism Spectrum disorder in adults. Journal of Evidence-Based Psychotherapies, 15, 191-205.
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Authors
Bär, A., Bär, H. E., Rijkeboer, M. M., & Lobbestael, J.
Affiliations
  • University of Freiburg (DE)
  • Maastricht University (NL)
Corresponding author
Bär, Andreas
Venue
Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2023-04-07
Volume
96
Issue
3
Pages
716-747
ISSN
  • 1476-0835 (ISSN-L)
  • 2044-8341
OpenAlex
W4362692268
Cited by
79
References
107
Citations by year
2026: 24 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 7
FWCI
4.06
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Psychology and Psychotherapy Theory Research and Practice (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Publications (Maastricht University) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Assessments
Keywords
early maladaptive schemas, schema modes, schema therapy, personality disorders, clinical disorders, vulnerability factors
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Humans, Personality Disorders, Surveys and Questionnaires

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