Abandonment Schema and Limerence: The Mediating Role of Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions among Young Adults

This research aimed to investigate the relationship between abandonment schema, interpersonal cognitive distortions, and limerence among young adults. It was hypothesized that a significant relationship would exist between the study variables. Furthermore, the subdomains of interpersonal cognitive distortions, including interpersonal rejection, unrealistic relationship expectations, and interpersonal misperception, are expected to mediate the relationship between abandonment schema and limerence among young adults. Convenient sampling was used to collect data from young adults (N=332) enrolled in various public and private universities in Lahore, with an age range of 18 to 30 years (M = 21.8, SD = 2.05). Abandonment Core Belief Scale (Skeen, 2014), Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions Scale (Hamamcı, 2004), and Wolf & Lemay Limerence Measure (Wolf & Lemay, 2015) were used. The findings indicated that there was a significant positive relationship between abandonment schema, interpersonal cognitive distortions, interpersonal rejection, unrealistic relationship expectations, and interpersonal misperception and limerence. The mediation analysis revealed a significant partial mediation, with unrealistic relationship expectations significantly mediating the relationship between abandonment schema and limerence. At the same time, interpersonal rejection and interpersonal misperception did not show significant indirect effects. The study's insights can inform schema-focused interventions aimed at reducing dysfunctional relational patterns and limerence in youth.