Early Maladaptive Schemas in children: Stability and differences between a community and a clinic referred sample

This study explores whether the Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS) proposed by Young (1994) are stable in children and whether EMS in community and clinical populations differ. The Schema Questionnaire for Children, (SQC), was completed twice by 77 children (9 out of 10 years) six months apart. The SQC completed by a community group (n = 46) attending a local school and those treated (n = 53) at a specialist child mental health clinic were compared. Significant correlations over time were found for 8 out of 12 of the EMS assessed. Significant differences between the community and referred group were found for 10 out of 12 EMS. These results are consistent with the key theoretical assumptions underlying schema therapy. Further research is required with larger samples of children to substantiate these findings. Copyright (C) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.