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Cognitive Schemas as Mediating Variables of the Relationship Between the Self-Defeating Personality and Depression

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Abstract

The current investigation was designed to examine particular maladaptive cognitive schemas as mediating variables of the relationship between the self-defeating personality and depression. A total of 82 mildly to severely depressed adult outpatients, referred for counseling and psychotherapy services, were assessed in terms of self-defeating personality and maladaptive cognitive schema characteristics. Results indicated that 57% of the variance within depression, measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (Beck, Rush, Shaw, & Emery, 1979), was accounted for by the self-defeating personality and five maladaptive cognitive schemas: abandonment/instability; defectiveness/shame; failure; subjugation; and vulnerability to harm. Further, mediation analyses indicated that abandonment/instability and defectiveness/shame statistically mediated the relationship between the self-defeating personality and depression. Results are discussed in light of contemporary theories of depression.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Counseling and Human Development Services, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia

    John V. Petrocelli, Brian A. Glaser, Georgia B. Calhoun & Linda F. Campbell

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  1. John V. Petrocelli
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  3. Georgia B. Calhoun
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  4. Linda F. Campbell
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Petrocelli, J.V., Glaser, B.A., Calhoun, G.B. et al. Cognitive Schemas as Mediating Variables of the Relationship Between the Self-Defeating Personality and Depression. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment 23, 183–191 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010969321426

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