The increasing growth of older population and its consequences have led to aging becoming a significant social issue in most societies. This phase is an unavoidable process and a critical period in human life, impacting all aspects of living. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and depression and social anxiety in older adults. The present research was conducted as a descriptive-correlational study, selecting 150 older adults aged 60 and over from Tehran through convenience sampling. The research tools included the Young Schema Questionnaire - 75-item form, the Geriatric Depression Scale by Yesavage et al., and the Social Anxiety Questionnaire by Connor et al. The results from the Pearson correlation test revealed that the strongest correlation with depression was related to the schemas of abandonment, emotional deprivation, social isolation, and failure; while for social anxiety, it was associated with the schemas of perfectionism, defect/shame, social isolation, and vulnerability to harm. Additionally, the results from multiple linear regression analysis showed that four schemas—abandonment, emotional deprivation, defect/shame, and emotional inhibition—were effective in predicting depression, whereas three schemas—social isolation, defect/shame, and perfectionism—proved to predict social anxiety. All results were analyzed using SPSS 28, indicating a significant direct relationship between early maladaptive schemas and both depression and social anxiety in older adults (p<0.05). It can be concluded that preventive programs focused on childhood and adolescence to examine schemas and conduct comprehensive educational courses for psychological education and improving living conditions can be beneficial.
Mirei, N., Bazzazian, S., & Ghodrati, S. (2024). The Relationship of Maladaptive Schema with Depression and Social Anxiety in Older Adults. Aging Psychology, 10(3), -. doi: 10.22126/jap.2025.10733.1783
MLA
Narges Mirei; Saeedeh Bazzazian; Sima Ghodrati. "The Relationship of Maladaptive Schema with Depression and Social Anxiety in Older Adults". Aging Psychology, 10, 3, 2024, -. doi: 10.22126/jap.2025.10733.1783
HARVARD
Mirei, N., Bazzazian, S., Ghodrati, S. (2024). 'The Relationship of Maladaptive Schema with Depression and Social Anxiety in Older Adults', Aging Psychology, 10(3), pp. -. doi: 10.22126/jap.2025.10733.1783
VANCOUVER
Mirei, N., Bazzazian, S., Ghodrati, S. The Relationship of Maladaptive Schema with Depression and Social Anxiety in Older Adults. Aging Psychology, 2024; 10(3): -. doi: 10.22126/jap.2025.10733.1783
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