The Relationship Between Primary Emotional Traits and Adolescent Depression: the Mediating Role of Early Maladaptive Schemas

Background and purpose: Adolescence is a critical developmental period associated with increased vulnerability to depression. Although primary emotional traits and early maladaptive schemas have each been linked to adolescent depression, the mechanisms underlying these associations remain unclear. Specifically, it is unknown whether early maladaptive schemas mediate the relationship between primary emotional traits and depressive symptoms. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the mediating role of early maladaptive schemas in adolescent depression. Materials and Methods: This correlational study was conducted on ۲۵۱ high school students (grades ۱۰–۱۲; mean age = ۱۶.۳۸ ± ۰.۹۱ years; ۷۷.۷% female) in Isfahan, Iran, selected through multistage cluster sampling. Data were collected using the BANPS, the Young Schema Questionnaire–Short Form, and the BDI-II. Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling using SPSS and AMOS. Results: Descriptive analyses indicated meaningful variability in primary emotional traits, early maladaptive schemas, and depressive symptoms. Structural equation modeling showed that negative primary emotional traits had significant direct effects on early maladaptive schemas (β = ۰.۴۷, p < ۰.۰۱) and depression (β = ۰.۵۹, p < ۰.۰۱), whereas positive traits were negatively associated with early maladaptive schemas (β = −۰.۲۰, p < ۰.۰۵) but not directly with depression (β = −۰.۰۵, p > ۰.۰۵). Early maladaptive schemas had a significant direct effect on depression (β = ۰.۲۷, p < ۰.۰۱) and significantly mediated the relationships between both positive (β = −۰.۰۶, p < ۰.۰۵) and negative (β = ۰.۱۳, p < ۰.۰۵) primary emotional traits and depression. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study underscores the mediating role of early maladaptive schemas in the association between primary emotional traits and adolescent depression. By identifying specific schemas that contribute to depressive symptoms, the findings provide a practical foundation for developing targeted, schema-focused preventive and therapeutic interventions aimed at reducing adolescents’ vulnerability to depression.

کلیدواژه ها:

Emotions ، Depression ، Adolescent ، Cognitive Distortion ، Psychological Adaptation