140 - HOW DOES CHILD MALTREATMENT AFFECTS COMPLEX POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER: THE ROLE OF EARLY MALADAPTIVE SCHEMAS IN THE DOMAIN OF DISCONNECTION/REJECTION

Session: D06S001 - Child and Adolescent Mental Health 1
AUTHORS:
Lu Tianyang (School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University ~ Shanghai ~ China) , Gong Jingbo (Shanghai Changning Mental Health Centre, Affiliated Mental Health Center of East China Normal University ~ Shanghai ~ China) , Liang Yiming (School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University ~ Shanghai ~ China)
Abstract text:
Introduction
Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) is closely related to childhood maltreatment. Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS) refer to persistent negative cognitive patterns formed in childhood. EMS are well-established mediators between childhood maltreatment and psychopathology. However, how EMS affect CPTSD symptoms among adolescents with child maltreatment remains unclear, particularly regarding different effects on distinct EMS domains.


Purpose
This study aims to investigate the mediating role of EMS between child maltreatment and CPTSD, and to identify which EMS dimension is critical in influencing CPTSD.


Method
Child maltreatment was assessed in November 2023 (T1) using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. EMS was assessed in April 2024 (T2) using the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form, including 3 domains of EMS (impaired autonomy and performance, disconnection and rejection, over-vigilance and inhibition). CPTSD symptoms were assessed in November 2024 (T3) using the International Trauma Questionnaire, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and disordered self-organization (DSO) symptoms. The 3-waves longitudinal data included 722 adolescents with child maltreatment. Path analysis was used to estimate the effects of child maltreatment on PTSD and DSO symptoms and potential mediating roles of the three EMS domains.


Results
Child maltreatment positively predicted all three EMS domains. Only disconnection and rejection significantly predicted PTSD and DSO symptoms and mediated the relationships between child maltreatment and PTSD and DSO symptoms.


Conclusions
This study found that the disconnection and rejection domain of EMS is a potential mechanism for the development of CPTSD symptoms among adolescents with childhood maltreatment. This domain manifests the fragmentation of self-concept and disconnections with others after child maltreatment, which may trigger the important avoidance symptoms in PTSD. In addition, negative perceptions of self and others may also contribute to DSO symptoms. In future interventions for maltreatment, the inclusion of EMS interventions targeting disconnection and rejection may alleviate CPTSD symptoms.