Early Maladaptive Schemas and Attachment Styles in Emerging Adults – A Correlational Study

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and attachment styles in emerging adulthood, within the theoretical frameworks of schema therapy (Young, 1990; Young et al., 2003) and attachment theory (Bowlby, 1969). Using a non-probabilistic sample of 170 participants (equally distributed by gender), Pearson correlation analyses revealed significant associations between schemas and attachment styles. Anxious attachment was positively correlated primarily with vulnerability, dependence, and subjugation, highlighting the role of threat anticipation and increased need for reassurance (Rad et al. (2025). Secure attachment was negatively correlated with strong negative correlations with defectiveness/shame, social isolation, failure, and vulnerability, confirming its protective function. Disorganised attachment was the most sensitive to schema activation, showing positive correlations with a broad spectrum of maladaptive patterns. Avoidant attachment was weakly associated with classical schemas and was modestly associated with unrelenting standards. Gender differences were observed primarily in attachment styles and vulnerability.