Citation

Wuth A, Mishra S, Beshai S, Feeney J. Curr. Psychol. 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s12144-020-01274-2

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Cognitive models of psychopathology propose that early developmental environments give rise to cognitive schemas and distortions, which color our interpretations of the world. Evolutionary theorizing suggests that developmental environments have far-reaching consequences for behavior. Accordingly, we examined associations between self-reportedunpredictable and harsh early developmental environments, positive and maladaptive schemas, and cognitive distortions (n = 257).

RESULTS indicated thatunpredictable and harsh childhood environments were associated with greater maladaptive schemas and cognitive distortions, and fewer positive schemas. Path analyses suggested that a model of unpredictable and harsh environments leading to maladaptive schemas and cognitive distortions had excellent statistical fit. Taken together, these results suggest early developmental environments have important influence on adult cognition. These results are the first to demonstrate that childhood unpredictability is associated with cognitive schemas and distortions. Our findings have direct implications for understanding schema development and may have consequences for schema therapy.

Language: en