Overprotective parenting experiences and early maladaptive schemas in adolescence and adulthood: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Young's schema model identifies overprotection as a type of childhood experience associated with early maladaptive schemas. This review evaluated the evidence base examining overprotective parenting as a predictor of schema endorsement in adolescence and adulthood. A systematic review and meta‐analysis were conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, and registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021258990). PsycINFO, CINAHL and PubMed databases were searched on 5 June 2021 for eligible studies reporting original data on unadjusted association(s) between overprotective parenting and schema endorsement in samples with a mean age of 12 years or older. Studies were excluded if they were not in English or peer reviewed or participants were exposed to an intervention. Meta‐analyses using Meta‐Essentials software examined the relationship between maternal and paternal overprotective parenting with Young's 18 schemas. An adapted version of the Appraisal tool for Cross‐Sectional Studies (AXIS) was used to assess methodological quality. A total of 16 articles were included. Based on 36 meta‐analyses (Pooled N = 1,496 to 3,218), several schemas demonstrated positive small correlations with maternal overprotective parenting (range: r = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.10, 0.19 [Entitlement] to r = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.13, 0.43 [Enmeshment]) and paternal overprotective parenting (range: r = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.10, 0.20 [Abandonment] to r = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.10, .36 [Enmeshment]). Considerable heterogeneity was detected, but subgroup analyses were not significant. Overall, recollections of overprotective parenting experiences were primarily associated with schemas relating to disconnection and rejection, and impaired autonomy and performance. However, the literature has thus far relied on retrospective measures of parenting, and longitudinal research is needed to establish causality.

Cognitive distortions mediate relationships between early maladaptive schemas and aggression in women and men

“…Impaired autonomy was also associated—but only indirectly—with all subscales of aggression. The characteristics of this domain, including vulnerability, sense of personal failure, excessive dependence on others, and poor social functioning (Bruysters & Pilkington, 2022), are thought to encourage poor self‐esteem, over‐dependence on and enmeshment with others, and the use of aggression and other forms of manipulation to maintain continued dependence on others (Shorey et al, 2015). This EMS domain has been found to be associated with aggression toward intimate partners (Gay et al, 2013; Kachadourian et al, 2013), and in the present study was found to be directly associated with both indirect aggression and hostility.…”

“…The impaired limits domain describes a sense of entitlement, diminished self‐control, sense of superiority, and difficulty respecting the rights of others (Chodkiewicz et al, 2022). The impaired autonomy domain describes vulnerability, sense of personal failure, excessive dependence on others, and poor social functioning (Bruysters & Pilkington, 2022). The over‐vigilance/inhibition domain describes excessive need for the approval of others, subjugation of one's own needs and emotions, punitiveness, and tendency toward emotional inhibition, negativity, and pessimism (Young et al, 2003).…”