The impact of early maladaptive schemas on anxiety and depression among early-stage breast cancer patients: direct and mediated pathways through illness representations

Vulnerability to Harm and Enmeshment EMSs both fall under the "impaired autonomy/performance" domain, reflecting lower self-esteem, diminished ability to function independently, and heightened fear. Recognizing these dispositional factors early is crucial for preventing long-term distress. The finding that illness representations mediated the relationship only for the Vulnerability to Harm EMS suggests a unique relationship between this schema and how individuals perceive their illness, likely due to its relevance to the illness experience.