Parental Separation and Divorce and Adulthood Attachment: The Mediating Role of the Abandonment Schema

Looking at Sex Differences in Gambling Disorder: The Predictive Role of the Early Abandonment Schema, Gambling Motives and Alexithymia in Depression

A growing body of research indicates differences between men and women with gambling disorder. However, although alexithymia, gambling motives or abandonment have been associated with GD, women's clinical profile remains unexplored. This study aims, firstly, to explore mean differences in gambling motives (i.e. enhancement, coping and social [SOC]), the early maladaptive abandonment schema, alexithymia and depression in women and men with GD. Secondly, to analyse the correlation between the aforementioned variables as a function of sex. Thirdly, to examine the predictive role of gambling motives, early abandonment schema and alexithymia in depression as a function of sex. Lastly, to analyse the mediating role of COP between the early maladaptive abandonment schema and depression in women with GD, and the mediating role of ENH and the early maladaptive abandonment schema between alexithymia and depression in men with GD. The sample comprised 108 adults with GD diagnosis, of whom 60 were women and 48 were men. Regression and mediation analyses were carried out to explore possible sex differences in GD, through the SPSS programme. Results showed that depressive symptoms are predicted by alexithymia in men with GD and by the early maladaptive abandonment schema in women with GD. Regarding mediation analyses, the results suggest that COP mediated the relationship between early abandonment schema and depressive symptoms in females; and ENH and abandonment schema mediated the relationship between alexithymia and depressive symptoms in males. These results provide evidence of the relevance of considering sex differences when establishing therapeutic strategies in GD rehabilitation.

Parental Divorce Process and Post-Divorce Parental Behaviors and Strategies: Examining Emerging Adult Children's Attachment-Related Anxiety and Avoidance

The main goal of this study was to examine the role of parental behaviors during both the process of divorce and the post-divorce period on emerging adult children's attachment-related anxiety and avoidance. Specifically, we analyzed how recalled coparental respect and cooperation, interparental conflict, positive parenting strategies, and both parents' emotional state and instability from adult children's perspective during the divorce process and the post-divorce period were associated with emerging adult children's current attachment representations. Our sample consisted of 173 emerging adults (Mage = 22.01). The results of this study demonstrate that paternal coparental respect and cooperation along with freedom provided by the mother to talk about the father during the divorce process and post-divorce period were both related to lower attachment-related avoidance. Our findings also confirm a significant link between some paternal positive attitudes during the divorce process (i.e., freedom provided by the father to talk about the mother) and low attachment-related anxiety. Overall, the results of this research confirm that beyond divorce perse, several variables surrounding the divorce process better explain variations in adult children's attachment representations, which contribute to better comprehending the effects of parental divorce.

Childhood trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, early maladaptive schemas, and schema modes: a comparison of individuals with obesity and normal weight controls

BACKGROUND

Previous research on the psychological mechanisms of obesity has primarily focused on acute psychopathology. However, there is limited literature on the role of more complex and entrenched psychological processes in weight management. The current study aimed to expand previous research by examining more enduring psychological constructs, including early maladaptive schemas (EMS), schemas modes, and trauma.

METHODS

Participants (N = 125) comprised adults with normal weight (n = 40) and obesity (n = 85) from community and clinical settings in Australia. Eligible participants completed a series of self-report questionnaires via Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap). Two, separate, one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) were conducted to examine group differences on the outcome variables.

RESULTS

Findings indicated a significant effect of group on EMS and schema modes, V = .51, F(32, 92) = 2.97, p < .001, partial η² = .51. Follow-up univariate tests revealed that individuals with obesity endorsed significantly more maladaptive schemas and schema modes and significantly less healthy schema modes than individuals with normal weight. In addition, results demonstrated a significant effect of group on childhood trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, V = .19, F(6, 118) = 4.70, p < .001, partial η² = .19. Subsequent univariate tests and chi-square analyses indicated that individuals with obesity reported significantly more childhood trauma as well as significantly more PTSD symptoms within the last month than normal weight individuals.

CONCLUSION

This was the first study to compare EMS and schema modes in treatment-seeking individuals with obesity and normal weight controls using the short form version 3 of the Young Schema Questionnaire and revised, 118-item, Schema Mode Inventory. Overall, findings revealed that individuals with obesity experience more complex and enduring psychological difficulties than normal weight individuals. Increased assessment and targeted treatment of these underlying mental health concerns may contribute to a more holistic conceptualisation of obesity and could improve the long-term success of weight management.