Investigating the correlation between early maladaptive schemas and clinical symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder with and without psychotic features

Abstract Introduction: Numerous studies have been so far conducted on the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and clinical symptoms. Considering this issue, the present study aimed to compare early maladaptive schemas in major depressive disorder with and without psychotic features. Materials and Methods: The statistical population of this research comprised patients with major depressive disorder in the psychiatric hospital in Arak in the year 2014-15. To this end, 60 patients suffering from major depressive disorder and 30 patients with major depressive disorder with psychotic features were selected through simple random sampling method. For data collection, Young Schema Questionnaire and Symptom Checklist-90-R were applied. Data were analyzed through discriminated function analysis and ANOVA tests by SPSS software. Results: Our findings demonstrated that maladaptive schemas of defectiveness/shame, failure to achieve, social isolation, dependence/ incompetence, Subjugation, and self-control/ inadequate self-discipline in patients with major depressive disorder with psychotic features are more prominent than in patients suffering from major depressive disorder without psychotic features (P<0.01). Conclusion: With regard to the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and clinical symptoms in major depressive disorder, it can be concluded that maladaptive schemas play a role in the formation of psychopathology in individuals.