Browsing by Author "Mendes, Maria Manuel Pereira Barreira"
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- The role of psychological flexibility and selfcompassion in the longitudinal relationship between emotional schemas and mental healthPublication . Mendes, Maria Manuel Pereira Barreira; Neto, David DiasPersistent psychological symptoms, even in the context of effective treatments, highlight the limitations of traditional symptom-focused models. Advancing mental health requires identifying the underlying mechanisms that sustain psychological distress and hinder well-being. Emotional schemas have been associated with greater psychological suffering and lower well-being. Understanding the processes through which these schemas impact is essential for designing more targeted and effective strategies. This study examined the longitudinal relationship between emotional schemas and both positive and negative mental health, investigating the mediating roles of psychological flexibility and self-compassion. A sample of 303 Portuguese adults completed self-report measures assessing emotional schemas (LESS), psychological flexibility (CompACT), self-compassion (SELFCS), and mental health (MHCSF and BSI-18) at two time points, six months apart. Using path analysis and controlling for baseline mental health, age, and sex, the results revealed that maladaptive emotional schemas were significantly associated with lower psychological flexibility and self-compassion, which in turn predicted increased psychological distress and decreased well-being. Negative evaluation of emotions showed indirect effects through both mediators. Difficulties in reappraisal influenced mental health exclusively via reduced self-compassion, while a simplistic view of emotions was associated with improved outcomes via increased psychological flexibility. These results underscore the enduring influence of emotional schemas on mental health and highlight the transformative potential of interventions that cultivate psychological flexibility and self-compassion. By elucidating their mediating roles, the study provides a foundation for developing more targeted and effective strategies to mitigate the impact of maladaptive emotional schemas on psychological distress and psychological wellbeing.