Early Maladaptive Schemas and Muscle Dysmorphic Symptoms in Adolescents

The aim of the study is to investigate the possible association between early maladaptive schemas (EMS), emanating from traumatic relationships with attachment figures and acknowledged as a risk factor that increases the susceptibility to various forms of psychopathology, notably muscle dysmorphia (MD) within a cohort of Italian adolescents. The sample consisted of 1793 Italian high school students aged 13–20 years (Mage = 16.69, SD = 1.66; 59.3% female). Adolescents completed an anonymous questionnaire containing measures of EMS and MD, as well as sociodemographic data. Our data show that MD is significantly and positively correlated with total EMS scores and individual schemas, except for Enmeshment, with which there is a significant but negative correlation. There are no significant gender differences in the correlation between MD and EMS (total scores and individual schemas). In addition, regression analyses show that male gender and the Disconnection/Rejection, Other-directedness and Overvigilance/Inhibition tended to predict more MD symptoms, whereas the Impared Limits domain was negatively associated with MD. The findings support a possible association between MD and specific EMS, consistent with the cognitive theory of psychopathology, which states that each disorder is associated with specific cognitive vulnerabilities. These findings underscore the role of trauma-related relational experiences and schema-based vulnerabilities in the development of MD during adolescence, highlighting the importance of early identification and schema-focused prevention and intervention approaches. Future longitudinal research is needed to clarify developmental trajectories and the mechanisms linking early adverse experiences, EMS, and MD symptomatology.