Assessing Schema Modes Using Self- and Observer-Rated Instruments: Associations With Aggression

Abstract

This study examined the associations between schema modes and aggression in 59 male forensic psychiatric inpatients. Two instruments were used to assess schema modes: One measured modes through self-report, the Schema Mode Inventory (SMI), and one measured modes via observer (nurse) judgments, the Mode Observation Scale (MOS). Aggression was measured in two ways: Self-reported aggression during participants’ lifetimes was assessed using the Life History of Aggression-Self-Report-Aggression Scale (LHA-S-A), and incidents of aggression during hospitalization in the month following schema mode assessment, were identified through review of medical records. Self-reported (SMI) and observer-reported (MOS) measures of schema modes were poorly related and produced disparate associations with aggression. As hypothesized, the observer-reported MOS Angry-Child and MOS Impulsive-Undisciplined-Child modes were significantly associated with aggression during the follow-up. A number of other schema modes (MOS-Healthy-Adult, SMI-Angry-Child, MOS-Complaining-Protector, SMI-Undisciplined-Child, and MOS-Angry-Protector) were unexpectedly associated with aggression.

Schema mode inventory in cases of aggressive behavior: A systematic review

“…In the case of these institutionalized patients, even when participation is voluntary, participants are chosen for convenience, as in the studies by Vos et al (2023), Lewis et al (2021), Bernstein et al (2021), Clercx et al (2021), andDunne et al (2019). The studies by Vos et al (2023) and Lewis et al (2021) were conducted in psychiatric hospitals, where patients with the research profile were invited.…”

“…In the case of these institutionalized patients, even when participation is voluntary, participants are chosen for convenience, as in the studies by Vos et al (2023), Lewis et al (2021), Bernstein et al (2021), Clercx et al (2021), andDunne et al (2019). The studies by Vos et al (2023) and Lewis et al (2021) were conducted in psychiatric hospitals, where patients with the research profile were invited. Participants who volunteered had to obtain permission from their psychiatrists or head nurses of their units, who checked whether the volunteers were mentally stable and their stress level at the time.…”

“…In the study by Lewis et al (2021), the questionnaire items were read aloud so that participants responded directly to the researcher. In the study by Dunne et al (2019), participants answered the self-report instruments in the presence of up to four other participants in the same room, and in the study by Dunne et al (2018) with the presence of up to five other participants, under the supervision of the PhD candidate responsible for the research.…”

“…Assessing Schema Modes Using Self and Observer Rated Instruments: Association with Aggression (Lewis et al, 2021).…”

“…Dunne et al (2018) and Dunne et al (2019) used the SMI version 1.1, a version with 124 items that, according to the authors, at the time of publication, had not yet had its psychometric properties published but was the most recent version indicated by the Schema Therapy Institute. Lewis et al (2021) used this same version of SMI 1.1, and in the bibliographic references, they also do not mention a validation article; they only refer to the materials and inventories of the Schema Therapy Institute 2014 Version 2.0. Vos et al (2023) and Clercx et al (2021) claim to have used the SMI-R.…”