Factorial Validation of the Greek Schema Questionnaire for Children: A Comparison of Community and Clinical Samples

Abstract

This study reexamined the organization of Young's 15 early maladaptive schemas (EMS) using confirmatory factors analyses based on different taxonomies of higher order schemas in children and adolescents. It also investigated whether there were any differences in EMS between community and clinical/residential samples. A Greek sample (N = 186) of 139 children living in the community and 47 children living in residential care (66.1% girls, aged 15.7 ± 1.4 years) completed the Greek version of the Schema Questionnaire for Children. We identified the single factor analysis as the most appropriate one in terms of interpretability and empirical indices. Regarding conditionality, the two-factor solution was partially validated. The clinical/residential sample presented statistically significantly higher scores on Dependence, Vulnerability to Harm, Emotional Deprivation, Insufficient Self-control, Conditional Schemas, Impaired Autonomy/Performance and Impaired Limits, in comparison to the community sample. Our results are consistent with the key theoretical assumptions underlying Schema Theory. Further research is required to substantiate these findings. Future research could use larger sized samples, consider different placements (residential care, foster families and kinship families) and implement longitudinal research designs.