Investigating the schema modes in individuals with traumatic experiences through the lens of object relations model: A narrative review

Background

Young et al. (2003) proposed a theoretical concept, known as the schema modes, which suggests that past trauma could form maladaptive emotional states and the behavioural coping responses that are triggered by the activation of traumatic memory (Johnston et al., 2009). Thus, the schema modes theory could be a suitable trauma theory for measuring the impacts of traumatic experiences on traumatised individuals. Currently, there are 14 types of schema modes.

Methods

This narrative review examined five studies that were published from 2003 to 2023, which investigated the types of schema modes in the population who has been traumatised. The review excluded any study that did not specify the types of schema modes or did not measure the traumatic experience based on the definition set up by DSM-5.

Results

The review identified four schema modes (a) Detached Protector, (b) Vulnerable Child, (c) Angry Child, and (d) Punitive Parent. Thus, these four schema modes are the common object-relations units that individuals developed after they experienced a traumatic event.

Conclusions

The current review employed the object-relations psychoanalytic model to analyse the identified schema modes and their relations to traumatic experiences. The study also provided some clinical guidance on working with these schema modes.