Influence of Parenting on Maladaptive Schemas and Emotion Regulation in Adolescents Presenting With Self-Injurious Behavior in a Tertiary Care Hospital of North India

Abstract

Introduction: Parenting is a key factor in development of cognitive and emotional patterns of viewing self, others, and the world. The present study aimed to explore the influence of parenting on early maladaptive schemas (EMS) and emotion regulation in individuals presenting with self-injurious behavior. Method: A total of 32 adolescents with self-injurious behavior aged 15 to 18 years participated in this cross-sectional exploratory study. Measures used were Parental Handling Questionnaire, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, and Young Schema Questionnaire—Short Form. Results: The results indicate a significant negative correlation of parental care with lack of emotional clarity (r = −0.403, P < .05) with schema of self-punitiveness (r = −0.179, P < .05) and a significant positive correlation with emotional inhibition (r = 0.423, P < .05) and schema of admiration seeking (r = 0.364, P < .05). Parental control was found to be significantly positively correlated with schemas of pessimism (r = 0.350, P < .05) and significantly negatively correlated with admiration seeking (r = 0.477, P < .01). Parenting was also found to be a significant predictor for emotion regulation and EMS (P < .05). Conclusion: Parenting has a significant influence on emotional regulation and EMS. Findings have a bearing on future research and targeted interventions in clinical care settings.