The Correlation between Early Maladaptive Schemas and Myers-Briggs Personality Dimensions in Medical Students

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Cognitive psychologists consider schemas as cognitive structures, which affect the person in selecting, encoding, and processing information obtained from the environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between Myers-Briggs personality dimensions and early maladaptive schemas in medical students.   Methods: In this descriptive-correlational research, 120 students (60 females and 60 males), were selected through convenience sampling method and answered to Yang’s Schema questionnaire and Myers-Briggs Type Inventory. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and independent t-test.   Results: In this study, no difference was oserved between the two groups in Myers-Briggs Personality dimensions. Both groups obtained the highest scores in perception and extraversion. There was a significant difference between the two groups in impaired limits domain and females obtained higher scores in this domain. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between introversion dimension of Myers-Briggs Personality Profiling and impaired limits domain. There were also significant negative correlations between judgment dimension and schemas of disconnection and rejection, impaired autonomy and performance, over vigilance and inhibition, and impaired limits domain. Sensation dimension and impaired limits schema showed significant positive correlation.   Conclusion: Findings of this research provide some evidence on correlation between maladaptive schemas and personality types.    

Keywords

• early maladaptive schemas
• personality
• medical students
• psychology.