The correlation between early maladaptive schemas and body image concern: The mediating role of self-compassion and emotion regulation in women.

Introduction: The current study aimed to explore the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and body image concern and the mediating role of self-compassion and emotion regulation in women. Materials and Methods: The statistical population of this descriptive and correlational study included all women aged 18 to 45 in Mashhad, Iran, who completed the questionnaires from 2022 to 2023. The convenient sampling method was used to select 400 people completed the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ), Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). We analyzed the data through Pearson's correlation coefficient and path analysis. Results: The findings revealed a significant and negative correlation between the total score of body image concern and reappraisal, alongside a significant and positive correlation between the total score of body image concern and emotional suppression. Additionally, a significant and negative relationship was observed between the total scores of self-compassion and body image concern (P< 0.05). Conclusion: We revealed that self-compassion and emotion regulation variables can serve as crucial mediators in the impact of early maladaptive schemas on body image concern, leading to a reduction in the effect of early maladaptive schemas on body image with increased self-compassion and enhanced emotion regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]