Elsevier

Current Opinion in Psychology

Volume 4, August 2015, Pages 98-103
Current Opinion in Psychology

Core beliefs and self-schematic structure in depression

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2014.12.008Get rights and content

Highlights

  • EMS and cognitive structure are important vulnerability factors for depression.

  • EMS predict depression independently of stress.

  • Cognitive organization operates in a manner consistent with diathesis–stress models.

  • Childhood maltreatment may contribute to the development of core beliefs and schemas.

  • Core beliefs and schemas can be modified by a variety of treatments.

This article reviews recent research on core beliefs (i.e., early maladaptive schemas; EMS) and self-schema structure in depression. The empirical research supports these variables as vulnerability factors for depression. Whereas EMS operate independently of stress, cognitive organization appears to influence depression in a manner consistent with a diathesis–stress model. Recent research has also explored predictors of EMS and schema structure. Specifically, childhood adversity (e.g., emotional maltreatment, peer rejection) is associated with negative self-schemas and core beliefs. Schema beliefs and structure also mediate the relation between early adversity and subsequent depression. Fortunately, these deeper cognitions appear to be modifiable by psychological and pharmacological treatments. Future research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which self-schemas become consolidated over time and how they are optimally changed.

Introduction

Beck proposed a hierarchical classification of cognition, ranging from deeper structures to more surface-level thoughts [1, 2•, 3]. Schemas represent the deepest level of thinking and are purported to play a critical role in the development of depression. Self-schemas  well-organized, internal representations of self  consist of both propositional (content) elements, such as core beliefs, and structural (organization) properties. Through experience and interpretation of past and ongoing events, such content becomes increasingly consolidated in the belief system of individuals vulnerable to depression, and influences the subsequent appraisal and organization of new experiences. Once activated by life-stress, self-schemas also impact the emergence of more proximal cognitions (e.g., negative automatic thoughts). Insecure attachment experiences and maltreatment encompass some of the early predictors of the development of a negative belief system [4•, 5••, 6].

A number of variables have been studied in the context of cognitive vulnerability to depression [7••]; however, we focus on the content and structure of self-schemas. Recent research on early maladaptive schemas (i.e., deeper core beliefs) and the structure of self-referent content is reviewed. After defining the specific construct of interest, we discuss the current empirical status, highlight predictors and outline the potential modifiability of each vulnerability factor. We conclude with suggestions for further research.

Section snippets

Early maladaptive schemas

Early maladaptive schemas (EMS; [8]) represent an extension of Beck's cognitive theory of depression and account for the developmental origins of core beliefs. EMS are rigid and pervasive absolutist beliefs about self that originate in childhood in response to ongoing aversive relational patterns, and are elaborated on throughout life. EMS, which serve as templates for processing later experiences, are organized into five domains (see Table 1). These self-defeating cognitive patterns vary in

Cognitive structure

A critical assumption of Beck's theory is that negative content in depression exists within a cognitive structure, such that various self-descriptive traits, beliefs and memories (e.g., ‘I’m unlovable, unattractive, undesirable’) are represented in a highly organized and clustered manner. The activation of this structure purportedly impacts more surface-level cognitions (see [3]) which exacerbates depressed mood and may contribute to thoughts, behaviors and experiences (e.g., stress generation,

Future directions for research and practice

Future research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms of change in treatments like CBT and whether a shift in deeper cognitive structures and core beliefs may be a final common pathway regardless of treatment modality. Additional research is also needed to ensure that these findings are robust and to determine which strategies (and doses of psychotherapeutic interventions) produce the most stable cognitive change. Furthermore, it would be interesting to explore whether change in EMS and

References and recommended reading

Papers of particular interest, published within the period of review, have been highlighted as:

  • • of special interest

  • •• of outstanding interest

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