Studying the Relationship between Early Maladaptive Schemas and Defensive Styles with Emotional Intelligence in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Transcription

1 Studying the Relationship between Early Maladaptive Schemas and Defensive Styles with Emotional Intelligence in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome Zeinab Ramezan Ali Pour Department of Psychology, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran Bahman Akbari* Department of Psychology, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran *Corresponding Author: Abstract This study was carried out with the aim of investigating the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and defensive s with emotional intelligence in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Accordingly, using a sample of 150 patients with irritable bowel syndrome and using Pearson correlation, multiple regression and SPSS software version 21 this study was conducted. The results of this research showed that there is a significant correlation between maladaptive early schemas with defensive s and emotional intelligence. Also it is reported that there a significant correlation between defensive s and emotional intelligence. The findings of this study showed that early maladaptive schemas are well capable to predict the variance of emotional intelligence (coefficient: 0.50) and mature (coefficient: 0.45), immature (coefficient: 0.18) and neurotic defensive (coefficient: 0.116). Also defensive s of respondents could predict 27 percent of the variance of emotional intelligence. Keywords: Early maladaptive schemas, defensive, emotional intelligence, patients with irritable bowel Syndrome. Page 140

2 Introduction Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder in the function of bowel is associated with chronic pain in abdominal area, feeling of discomfort, bloating and changes in bowel habits, without any other organic causes. Ethology of this disease is complex and it may result from the interference of a number of factors such as abnormal movements of the stomach - gut, visceral hypersensitivity and psychological factors. The permeation of psychosocial stressors and emotional factors play a role in its creation and durance (Puser et al., 2006). From a cognitive point of view the early maladaptive schema are considered among the most essential cognitive elements, even sometimes it forms before the child begins to learn the language (pre-verbal schemas) and often imposes its influence over the information processing system below the threshold of consciousness and has a state of self-mirror. This relation is to the extent that therapists believe that at the time of activation of maladaptive schema, meta-cognitive texts can confront with it and the person learns the cause and with cognitive reasoning deals with his own emotional state, and prevents distortion of the environmental information by schemes (Kazemi et al., 2011). When early maladaptive schemas are activated a level of excitement will be released and directly or indirectly will lead to various forms of psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, drug abuse, interpersonal conflicts and so on. Early maladaptive schemas do not lead to specific mental disorders but increase an individual's vulnerability to mental disorder. (Ghare Daghi, 2012). Early maladaptive schemas are basically gradual and unconscious themes are preserved by individuals and are used as a model for processing subsequent experiences and thus are spread across life and determine behaviors, thoughts, feelings and relationships with other people (Simos, 2000). Emotional Intelligence is a multidimensional construct and involves interaction between cognitive and emotional that leads to functioning of compromise. Mayer, Salovey and Caruso considered emotional intelligence as a construct composed of four interconnected abilities as understanding emotions in self and others, using emotions to facilitate decision-making, as well as understanding and managing emotions. Emotional intelligence as the ability to manage feelings and emotions play a crucial role in the life and achievements of individuals. Defense mechanisms are automated regulating processes that are employed to reduce cognitive dissonance and to minimize sudden changes in reality through influencing the way of understanding the threatening events (Ghare Daghi, 2012). Bar-On considers emotional intelligence as a mixed group of emotional self-knowledge as well as other skills and capabilities that has an influence upon an individual's success in dealing with environmental pressures and requirements. He considers emotional intelligence as a series of cognitive abilities and skills that increase an individual's abilities in dealing with the environmental pressures and defines it in five general categories as: Intrapersonal, interpersonal emotional quotient emotional, adjustment capabilities, management of stress and general mood. Emotional intelligence is linked to the events and consequences of life and people in understanding and forecasting different aspects of everyday life (Slick & Shot, 2006, quoted in Zeinali and Javid, 2010). Maladaptive schemas are the self-damaging emotional and cognitive patterns in an individual that are formed at the beginning of growth and evolution and are repeated in the path of life (Young and Cleo and Vishar 2003 translated by Hamidpour and Anduz, 2009). Page 141

3 In the analysis system, defenses play an important role in an individual's mental health (Band and Perry, 2004, Belaya, Don Les, Belaya, Kipper, Heldt et al. 2006). Some believe that individual's physical and mental health is significantly related to their defense mechanism (Band & Perry, 2004). On the other hand, according to Young (2003), those who have early maladaptive beliefs show maladaptive coping strategies that may make their schemas permanent and irreversible. From this point of view one can see that Yang had been looking for a model for mental health and lack of it. Presence of these maladaptive schemata from childhood and disorder in an individual's functioning system in the future can be a reason that the model of early maladaptive schemata predicts the presence or absence of mental health. With regard to what mentioned above, the present research seeks to investigate the effect of early maladaptive schemata on defense s and emotional intelligence among patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? Research method This research is descriptive and correlational study. The statistical population included all patients with irritable bowel syndrome in Kelachay city who during in the first 6 months of 2015 had referred to medical clinics and had diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome by local experts. A sample of 150 patients was randomly selected using the convenient sampling method and were discussed using the required tests. Instruments in this study included: Young's early maladaptive Schema Questionnaire (YSQ): This self-report questionnaire is used to measure the schemata. In this questionnaire, a subject measures him/herself based on the description of each item on a six-point Likert scale ranging from scores 1 to 6. These questions are classified according to the schemas. The questionnaire exists in both short and long forms. The long form is composed of 205 questions and measures 16 maladaptive schema, but the short form (YSQ) measures 75 maladaptive schema that two words that is to comes after some sentences show the researchers that these questions are related to what schema, however, Young's Schema was performed by Smith, Jones, Young and Tlc (1995). The results of this study showed that for each maladaptive schema the alpha coefficient was from 0.38 (self-evolved schema (caught), up to 0.96 (for defective schema/ shame) and testretest coefficient for non-clinical purpose was between 0.50 to Primary and final subscales of test-retest showed high internal consistency. Zolfaghari, Fatehi and Abedi (2008) employed Young's short-form Schema Questionnaire on 70 patients. In their study, the coefficient of internal consistency for the whole questionnaire through measuring Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.94 and for the five dimensions was as the following: abandonment and rejection 0.91, egoism and impaired performance 0.90, disturbed limitations 0.73, otherdirectedness 67/0, over vigilance and inhibition Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40): This questionnaire has been created according to the hierarchical pattern of defenses and its 40-questions version has developed by Andrews et al., (1993) which measures 20 defense mechanisms at three levels of mature, immature and neurotic. The item of this questionnaire are graded according to a 9-point Likert scale based (from strongly agree to strongly disagree) and each subject should choose the degree of his/her own agreement with each defense choice. In Iran, Heidari Nasab (2006) has reviewed and normalized this defense questionnaire (DSQ-40). The results show that the Persian version of this questionnaire like its original version has a high validity. Its validity has been obtained through retest-retest method and estimating Cronbach's alpha and alpha coefficients in study groups according to school and university students, gender and defensive has Page 142

4 been investigated and the highest total alpha was for male university students (0.81) and the lowest total alpha was related to the female school students (0.69). With regard to the defensive, the highest alpha is for immature (0.72) and the lowest alpha is for the neurotic (0.50). Correlations regarding test-retest of questionnaire in study groups, in comparison with the critical values, were significant. Thus, it has been shown that defensive questionnaire in study groups has an optimal validity. Emotional Intelligence: It is Shot's Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS) and this scale is a test composed of 33 questions developed by Shot and his colleagues according to the pattern of Mayor and Salovey emotional intelligence. Questions of three categories test of emotional intelligence construct includes emotional regulation, efficiency of excitement and evaluation measures emotions on a five-point Likert scale. A total score is obtained for emotional intelligence in this scale that ranges from 33 to 165. In a study of this scale among teenagers for total emotional intelligence a validity of 0.84 and for its subscales have been reported 0.76, 0.66, 0.55, respectively (Besharat, 2005). Also, Cronbach's alpha coefficient of this scale in the Persian version (Besharat, 2005) for the total emotional intelligence has been reported 0.81 and for the referred subscales were 0.78, 0.67 and 0.50, respectively. Findings Research data were analyzed using statistical tests of Pearson correlation and multiple regression and the results were provided as the following: Table 1: Pearson correlation coefficient between early maladaptive schemas and emotional intelligence Pearson correlation coefficient Emotional intelligenc e Rejection and abandonmen t Otherdirectnes s Disturbed performanc e Disturbe d limitation Vigilanc e Emotional intelligence ** ** ** ** ** Rejection and abandonmen ** 0.698** 0.400** 0.503** t Otherdirectness ** 0.249** Disturbed performance ** 0.525** Disturbed limitation Vigilance P < 0.05; P < 0.01 As Pearson correlation test shows, emotional intelligence has a significant and reverse correlation with the dimensions of early maladaptive schemata. In other words inverse correlation between emotional intelligence and rejection/exclusion (correlation coefficient: ), emotional intelligence and other-orientedness (correlation coefficient: ); emotional intelligence and disturbed performance (correlation coefficient: ), emotional intelligence and disturbed limitation (correlation coefficient: ) and emotional Page 143

5 intelligence and vigilance (correlation coefficient: ). In fact, the findings suggest that patients with irritable bowel syndrome who have early maladaptive schemas, has lower level of emotional intelligence and vice versa. Table 2: Pearson correlation test between patient's defense s and emotional intelligence Pearson correlation test Emotional Immature defense Neurotic defense Mature defense Emotional ** Immature defense ** Neurotic defense Mature defense P < 0.05; P < 0.01 As Pearson correlation test shows, there is a significant correlation between defense s in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and emotional intelligence. More specifically, in the reported correlation matrix between types of defensive s and emotional intelligence in dimension of mature defensive there is a significant and direct correlation between mature defensive and emotional intelligence (correlation coefficient: 0.533). Regarding the immature defense (correlation coefficient: ) and neurotic defense (correlation coefficient: ) there wasn't report a significant correlation with emotional intelligence. Therefore, it can be said that those patients with high emotional intelligence more use mature defensive. In other words, the higher the emotional intelligence of the subjects of the higher the use of defensive will be and vice versa. The results of investigating the rate of different areas of maladaptive schemas in explaining the variance of emotional intelligence in patients with irritable bowel syndrome are presented in the tables below. Table 3: Summary of regression model of research Mode l R coefficie nt Determinati on coefficient Standard determinatio n coefficient Degree of freedo m Enter Sum of squares F coefficie nt Level of significanc e Predictor variables: Subscales of early maladaptive schema (abandonment and rejection, other-orientedness, disrupted performance, disrupted limitation, vigilance). Page 144

6 Criterion variables: Emotional Intelligence Table 4: Regression test of the effectiveness of subscales of early maladaptive schemas on emotional intelligence Model Distance from source Abandonment and rejection Other orientedness Disrupted performance Disrupted limitation Vigilance Non-standard coefficients Standard coefficients B coefficient estimation error Beta T coefficient Level of Sig Linearity coefficients Tolerance coefficient inflation variance As regression model shows, the correlation coefficient of regression test has been reported as and determination coefficient of model as (standardized coefficient: 0.490). In other words, regression test shows that the subscales of emotional intelligence could predict percent of the variance in the subjects' emotional intelligence. Significance level of the F statistic is less than 0.05, and this means that the indicated changes by the model are not by chance. Also, the reported beta coefficients for the subscales of emotional intelligence show that the best predictors of emotional intelligence of the respondents were, respectively, other orientedness (0.316), disrupted performance (0.233), vigilance (0.212), disrupted limitation (0.147) and subscales of abandonment and rejection (beta coefficient: ; level of significance: 0.281) with regard to other features of maladaptive schemas have lower power of predictability and are insignificant. As linear coefficients (coefficients of inflation variance and tolerance) show, the hypothesis of linearity of the independent variables also is rejected. The results investigating defense s in explaining variance of emotional intelligence in patients with irritable bowel syndrome have been shown in the following table. Table 5: Summary of research regression model Mode l R coefficie nt Determinati on coefficient Standard determinatio n coefficient Degree of freedo m Enter Sum of squares F coefficie nt Level of significanc e Predictive variable: Subscales of defense s (immature defense, neurotic defense, mature defense ). Page 145

7 Criterion variable: Emotional intelligence Non-standard coefficients Standard coefficients Model Distance from source immature defense Neurotic defense Mature defense B coefficient estimation error Beta T coefficient Level of Sig Linearity coefficients Tolerance coefficient inflation variance As the regression model shows, the correlation coefficient of regression test has been reported as and determination coefficient of model as (standardized coefficient: 0.272). In other words, regression test shows that defense s could predict percent of the variance changes in the subjects' emotional intelligence. Significance level of the F statistic is less than 0.05, and this means that the indicated change by the model are not by chance. Also, the reported beta coefficients for the subscales of knowledge management show that only the mature dimension of defense has the ability of predicting (0.527) emotional intelligence of the staff and the two dimensions of immature (Beta coefficient: ; level of significance: 0.722) and neurotic (Beta coefficient: ; level of significance: 0.692) are not able to predict subjects' emotional intelligence. As linear coefficients (coefficients of inflation variance and tolerance) show, the hypothesis of linearity of the independent variables also is rejected. Conclusion In investigating the relationship between early maladaptive schemas with emotional intelligence in patients with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) as Pearson correlation test showed emotional intelligence has a significant and inverse correlation with the dimensions of early maladaptive schemas. In other words, inverse correlation between emotional intelligence and abandonment/rejection (correlation coefficient: ), emotional intelligence and other-orientedness (correlation coefficient: ). Emotional intelligence and disrupted performance (correlation coefficient: ), emotional intelligence and disrupted limitation (correlation coefficient: ) and emotional intelligence and vigilance (correlation coefficient: ). Indeed, research findings show that patients with irritable bowel syndrome who are endowed with early maladaptive schemas have lower rate of emotional intelligence and vice versa. This finding is in tandem with the results of Dehgani and colleagues (2014), Yarmohammadian and colleagues (2011) and Yates (2009) that have claimed by shaping of early maladaptive schemas in an individual his/her emotional Page 146

8 intelligence will be decreased. In explaining this finding it should be noted that those patients who have irritable bowel syndrome and have grown up with this pain, this kind of disease has resulted in formation of early maladaptive schemas. In fact, early maladaptive schemas, are profound and pervasive patterns or themes that have been formed in childhood or adolescence, continue in the path of life, are related to the relationship of the individual with himself and with others and are highly inefficient (Yusuf Nezhad and Peyvasteh Gar, 2011) These patterns in accordance with five development needs of a child are divided into five to five dimensions of abandonment and rejection, self-orientedness and disrupted performance, disrupted limitation, other-orientedness, over vigilance and deterrence that each of them consists of several schemas. For example, in explaining the relationship between excessive vigilance and prevention that involves behaviors and beliefs such negativity / pessimism, emotional inhibition, the hardness criteria/ excessive blaming and punishment, with the persistence of such beliefs and behavioral patterns individuals are not able to use their own emotional intelligence, these kinds of people with such behavioral patterns will encounter major problems regarding dimensions such as self-regulation, social and communicative skills in their social life, self-awareness and understanding their own personal capacities and talents. In investigating the relationship between defensive and emotional intelligence in patients with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), as Pearson correlation test showed, there is a significant correlation between defensive s in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and emotional intelligence. More specifically, in the reported correlation matrix between respondents' defensive s and emotional intelligence regarding mature defensive, there was a significant correlation between mature defensive and emotional intelligence (correlation coefficient: 0.533). Considering immature defense (correlation coefficient: ) and neurotic defense (correlation coefficient: ) there wasn't a significant correlation with emotional intelligence. Therefore, it can be said that those patients who have higher level of emotional intelligence, use mature defense s more than others. In other words, when the level of subjects' emotional intelligence increases the rate of using mature defense s will also be increased and vice versa. This finding is in line with the results of Gaedi and colleagues (2008), Besharat and colleagues (2007), Yarmohammadi and colleagues (2012) and Behzadi et al. (2013). In explanation of this finding, it should be said that those individuals who employ mature defense s have higher level of emotional intelligence. In fact, appropriate application of mature defense s in different situations of life provides them an opportunity to appropriately recognize their feelings and emotions and in their future social situation take their own best decisions. As Parker and colleagues also claim, mature defense mechanisms are considered as adaptive, efficient and normal confronting methods. Neurotic and immature defense mechanisms are maladaptive and ineffective confronting methods. Mature defense mechanisms are indeed normal and adaptive defenses that include mechanisms of sublimation, suppression, forecasting and humor Neurotic and immature defense mechanisms are also known as non-adaptive mechanisms. Neurotic defense mechanisms include idealization, reverse reaction, annulment and false philanthropy. Immature defense mechanisms also include projection, inactive aggression, evacuation, isolation, devaluation, autistic fantasy, denial, displacement, duality, somatization and rationalization and differentiation, among these those who use defense type I (mature) mechanisms enjoy higher emotional intelligence (Parker et al., 2008). Page 147

9 In investigating the share of different areas of maladaptive schemas in explaining the variance of emotional intelligence in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, as the regression model showed, the correlation coefficient of regression test have been reported 0.712, and determination coefficient of the model as (standardized coefficient: 0.490). In other words, regression test shows that subscales of emotional intelligence could predict percent of the variance changes in staffs' creativity. Also, the reported beta coefficients for the subscales of emotional intelligence show that the best predictors of respondents emotional intelligence, respectively, have been other-orientedness (0.316), disrupted performance (0.233), vigilance (0.212), disrupted limitation (0.147) and subscale of abandonment and rejection (beta coefficient: ; level of significance: 0.281) in relation to the other aspects of maladaptive schemas had an insignificant correlation and a lower power of predictability. In studying the share of variance in defensive in explaining variance of emotional intelligence in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, as regression model shows, correlation coefficient of regression test determining model (standardized coefficient: 0.272) were reported and 0.286, respectively. In other words, regression test shows that defensive s could predict percent of the variance changes in subjects' emotional intelligence. Also, the reported beta coefficients for the sub-scales of knowledge management show that only mature defensive (0.527) has the ability to predict the staffs' emotional intelligence variance and the two immature (beta coefficient: ; level of significance: 0.722) and neurotic (beta coefficient: ; level of significance: 0.692) defense s cannot predict subjects' emotional intelligence variance. Page 148

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