The effect of Early Maladaptive Cognitive Shemas on Perceived Stress in a sample of adults: Resilience as a Mediator

Abstract

The study aimed to identify the role of resilience as a moderator between maladaptive cognitive schemas and perceived stress among adults the researchers. constructed a model to test the influence of psychological maladaptive cognitive schemas, resilience as a mediator to adjust the psychological stress response. The study included a sample of (168) male and female, their ages ranged from 25 to 60 years. Participants accomplishing responses to the tools used in the study, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) to measuring psychological resilience, maladaptive cognitive schemas (ysQ-s3) to evaluate cognitive schemas and perceived stress scal-10 to assessing stress. The researchers used descriptive method to investigate the correlation between variables of the study, and conducted a path analysis to examine the role moderator of resilience in the relationship between maladaptive cognitive schemas and perceived stress. And we examine differences between male and female, and age groups in the three measures. There are a positive correlation statistically significant between each of the five areas of maladaptive cognitive schemas and perceived stress, and there are a negative correlation statistically significant with resilience. However, there are a negative correlation statistically significant between resilience and perceived stress. Results of path analysis model showed that there is an indirect effect of resilience as mediator between maladaptive cognitive schemas and perceived stress. However, there are no differences due to the variable of gender and age groups in maladaptive cognitive schemas, perceived stress, and resilience. The study clarified that individuals with resilience capacities were less affected by their earlier maladaptive cognitive schemas and bounced back more easily after experiencing a stressor event. It recommends developing resilience resources and building this cognitive psychological capacity.