Evaluation of Early Maladaptive Schemas and Adult Attachment Profiles in Patients Diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Examination of Their Relationship with Disease Variables

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> The study aimed to compare the early maladaptive schemas and adult attachment profiles of patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder with those of healthy controls. Another objective of our study was to investigate the potential relationships between disease-related variables-such as the type of depression, number of depressive episodes, history of hospitalization, and suicidal ideation or attempts-and schema and attachment characteristics in the group of patients with major depressive disorder. <b>Methods:</b> The study included 118 patients who presented to the Psychiatry outpatient clinic at Mersin University Faculty of Medicine Hospital between 1 April 2021 and 1 September 2021 and were diagnosed with major depressive disorder according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria based on mental state examinations conducted by researchers, as well as 92 healthy volunteers with no history of mental disorders. A sociodemographic data form prepared by the researchers was used to inquire about characteristics such as gender, age, and educational status. Additionally, a clinical data form was designed and implemented by the researchers to gather information regarding DSM-5 specifiers and the patients' clinical histories. The Young Schema Questionnaire Short Form-3 was used to evaluate early maladaptive schemas, while adult attachment profiles were assessed using the Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory II. The severity of depression in the patient group was measured with the Beck Depression Inventory. Statistical analysis of the data was conducted using SPSS 21, with a <i>p</i>-value less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. <b>Results:</b> The study included 118 patients, 84 (71.2%) of whom were women and 34 (28.8%) men, along with 92 healthy volunteers, 60 (65.2%) of whom were women and 32 (34.8%) men. The mean age was 41.9 (±13.2) in the patient group and 40.8 (±11.9) in the control group (<i>p</i> > 0.05). The patient group had higher scores than the control group across all schema subtypes and attachment dimensions. Significant differences in certain schemas were observed between patients with chronic depression and those with recurrent depressive episodes, as well as between patients with a single hospitalization history and those with multiple hospitalizations, and between patients with a history of suicide attempts and those without any suicidal ideation or attempts. Positive significant correlations were found between the attachment and schema scores and the severity of depression in both patients and controls. <b>Conclusions:</b> Further research is needed to determine the role of schemas and attachment styles in the development of depression in more detail and to focus on schema and attachment-based therapies in treatment.