Predicting Love Trauma Syndrome based on Early Maladaptive Schemas and Emotional Intelligence among the Youth

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine how emotional intelligence and early schemas are correlated with the love trauma syndrome. To this end, a predictive correlation method was used. The research sample included 344 young men and women, aged 18–29, in Boushehr. They were selected through a multistage sampling method. The instruments were Schutte’s Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire, Young’s Early Maladaptive Schemas Questionnaire (short form), and Dehghani’s Love Trauma Syndrome Inventory. The results of the Pearson correlation coefficient showed that all the components of early maladaptive schemas and emotional intelligence (EI), except emotional exploitation, had a significant correlation with the love trauma syndrome. In addition, the results of the multivariate regression analysis indicated a significant contribution of social self-alienation, emotional exploitation, poor self-restraint, and vulnerability to loss in predicting love trauma syndrome among young females. It was also noted that mistrust/abuse, emotional deprivation, poor self-control, and strict standards were the strong predictors of love trauma syndrome among young males. The results of the study also suggested that 40% of the variances in love trauma syndrome among young females and 54% of the variances in love trauma syndrome among young males can be explained by emotional intelligence and early maladaptive schemas.