Introduction: Culture, ethnic, racial identity and economic / social status play an important role in shaping schemas and modes. The aim of this study is to explain the prevalence of early maladaptive schemas among Iranian youth population and related psycho-sociological factors.

Method: The sample (n=1107 ) included all Iranian youth that three cities (Tehran, Shiraz and Ahvaz) were selected by convenience sampling method, aged 20 to 35 years. They answered the Young Schemas Questionnaire (YSQ-3).

Results: Findings showed that the schemes of Subjugation (17.37) and Self-sacrifice (14.54) have the highest prevalence in these three provinces, followed by the highest scores in Tehran city with Unrelenting Standard (13.93), in Shiraz city mistrust/Abuse (12.78) and in Ahvaz city, vulnerability to harm and disease (12.73).

Conclusion: The parent-child relationship is broad on social structures. Culture creates overt and covert cognitive patterns, the realization of which plays an important role in the formation and continuation of schemas. This types of cross-cultural research is essential in validating the concepts of schema therapy.

About the Presenters:

Amir Askari

Amir Askari, PhD. Founder and Director of Iranian Institute of Schema Therapy, ISST Advanced Certified Schema Therapist, Supervisor and Trainer.

Golafrooz Gholamy

Golafrooz Gholamy, MA in Clinical Psychology, Manager of Training and Research Committee, Iranian Institute of Schema Therapy.

Nazanin Honarparvaran

Nazanin Honarparvaran, PhD Counseling, Faculty member of department of counseling Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht , Iran.