Psychometric Properties of the Dutch Version of the Young Positive Schema Questionnaire (YPSQ-NL)

In schema therapy early adaptive schemas (EASs) and early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) have been found to be independent but related constructs. The Young Positive Schema Questionnaire (YPSQ) was developed and validated in English to measure EASs. The present study investigated psychometric properties of the Dutch translation in a representative sample of 650 non-clinical Dutch individuals. Internal consistencies for all scales were assessed to be acceptable to good. The 14-factor model showed an adequate to good fit to the data. Considering the construct validity, the YPSQ-NL scales showed significant positive correlations with the Big 5 personality traits, life-satisfaction, self-esteem and positive affect, and significant negative correlations with negative affect. Incremental validity of EASs over and above EMSs was shown for these same measures, except positive affect. Construct validity with the Young Schema Questionnaire-S3 (YSQ-S3) showed significant negative correlations between the YPSQ-NL scales and YSQ-S3 negative related constructs, except for Healthy Self-interest/Self-care and Self-sacrifice. Directions for future studies, e.g. in clinical samples, are discussed.