Comparison of Early Maladaptive Schemas and Defense Styles in Asthmatic, Alexithymic and Normal Subjects

Objective: The aim of the present article was to study the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and the defense styles (mature, immature, and neurotic) in asthmatics, alexithymics and normal subjects. Methods: 216 asthmatic, alexithymic and normal subjects were selected and they completed Young Schema Questionnaire (short form), Defense Style Questionnaire and the Farsi version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as mean, standard deviation, MANOVA and multiple regressions analysis were used to analyze the research data. Results: Results indicated a significant difference (P<0.05) in all domains of early maladaptive schemas, except other-directedness between the mean scores of the groups of normal subjects and asthmatic patients as well as alexithymic patients. In mature and neurotic defense style, there was not a significant difference between the mean scores of the three groups, while the immature defense style scores of normal subjects and patients with asthma were significantly different (P<0.05) from those of alexithymic. Conclusion: Alexithymia is equivalent to difficulty in self-regulation. When emotional information could not be perceived and evaluated through cognitive processing, it results in the individual's emotional and cognitive confusion. This inability increases the possibility of the immature and neurotic defense styles in stressful situations.