Adverse childhood experiences lead to trans-generational transmission of early maladaptive schemas

Abstract

Background: According to schema theory, early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) are formed due to unsatisfied core emotional needs in childhood. However, there is limited research about the association between parent's EMS and the child's EMS.

Objective: The current study investigated the mechanisms underlying the relationship between the parent's disconnection and rejection schemas and the child's disconnection and rejection schemas.

Participants and setting: One hundred seventy-nine mother-late adolescent dyads participated in the study. Mothers filled out the forms at home, and adolescents completed the forms in the classroom.

Methods: The adolescents completed the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form-3 (YSQ-SF3), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Father Involvement Scale, and Resilience Scale. The mothers completed only the YSQ-SF3.

Results: Mothers' EMSs related to the disconnection and rejection domain predicted their children's EMS in the same domain. Adverse childhood experiences also significantly mediated this relationship only when father involvement was low (β = .08, SE = .04, 95% CI [.01, .18]).

Conclusions: The current study provides evidence that EMSs are passed on from one generation to the next through adverse childhood experiences especially when fathers do not provide enough support in childrearing.

Keywords: Adverse childhood experiences; Early maladaptive schemas; Father involvement; Schema transmission.