Comparing Early Maladaptive Schemas with Theory of Mind Among Single Girls and Married Women Over 35 Years Old

Abstract

This research compares the early maladaptive schemas with theory of mind among single girls and married women over 35 years old. Its statistical population includes all unmarried girls and married women over 35 years old in Tabriz. The sample size is 93 married women and 88 unmarried girls over 35 years old. Method was a non-random sampling at convenience. The two groups were matched in terms of the control variables of age, economic status, and job status. The research was descriptive and causal comparative. It used the Young Schema Questionnaire to collect the information and the eyes test to evaluate the general theory of mind. Baron Cohen et al. were used to testing the research hypotheses. It used the independent t-test because of the non-establishment of the assumption of homogeneity of the variance-covariance matrix. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS software version 22. The results showed that schemas of deprivation, emotional and social isolation, defect of dependency/incompetence and entrapment schema, among the components of the early maladaptive schemas, were significantly in unmarried girls more than married women of the same age. There is no significant difference between married women and unmarried girls over 35 years old in the schemas of rejection, abandonment, mistrust, misbehavior, failure, vulnerability to harm or disease, obedience, sacrifice, emotional inhibition, inflexible criteria, entitlement, self-control, and theory of mind.