The Young Schema Questionnaire: Adaptation of a short version to Spanish adolescents and young adults

Abstract

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of a brief version of the Young-3 Schemas Questionnaire (YSQ-3), which assesses early maladaptive schemas, in Spanish adolescents and young adults. The sample consisted of 1,455 adolescents and young students (54.5% girls, 15-25 years old). They answered the schemas questionnaire and measures of depression, anxiety, hostility, and non-suicidal self-injury. In addition, a subsample of 842 participants completed the schemas questionnaire again six months later. The results confirm the structure consisting of 18 schemas and support the organization of these schemas in five broader domains. The internal consistency of some subscales was low while satisfactory for the domains. The schemas were stable over time and were significantly associated with several psychological problems. The results allow establishing recommendations for the assessment of maladaptive schemas in future research in the field of clinical psychology.