The influence of early maladaptive schemas on psychological flexibility of college students: a moderated mediation model

BackgroundThis study aimed to examine the associations between early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) and psychological flexibility among college students, as well as the mediating role of self-compassion and the moderating role of perceived social support.MethodsA total of 1,184 college students were surveyed using the short form of the Young Schema Questionnaire, the short form of the Avoidance and Fusion Questionnaire, Neff’s Self-Compassion Scale, and the Perceived Social Support Scale.ResultsEMSs were negatively correlated with self-compassion and perceived social support, and positively correlated with psychological inflexibility. Perceived social support was positively correlated with self-compassion and negatively correlated with psychological inflexibility, while self-compassion was negatively correlated with psychological inflexibility. Structural equation modeling indicated that EMSs were negatively associated with self-compassion, which in turn was negatively associated with psychological inflexibility. EMSs also showed a significant positive direct association with psychological inflexibility. In addition, perceived social support moderated the association between EMSs and self-compassion.ConclusionEMSs showed significant direct and indirect associations with psychological flexibility. Specifically, self-compassion partially mediates the relationship between EMSs and psychological flexibility, while perceived social support moderates the pathway between EMSs and self-compassion. These findings provide empirical support for improving college students’ mental health and developing targeted psychological interventions.