Assessment of the Interdependence of Early Maladaptive Schemas with Incorrect Eating Behaviours in Group of Women in their Early Adulthood

Introduction: Young’s (2003) concept assumes that early maladaptive schema is a broad, dominant motive or pattern composed of memories, emotions, physiological responses, and beliefs about oneself, other people, and the world. In recent years, there has been a growing focus on early maladaptive schemas as a core feature associated with eating psychopathology leading to overweight, obesity, and eating disorders. Research Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the interdependence of early maladaptive schemas with incorrect eating behaviours (habitual overeating, emotional overeating, diet restrictions). The research also aims to identify predictors of incorrect eating behaviours. Method: The study included 560 females between the ages of 19 and 25. The study measured severity of abnormal eating behaviour and Early Maladaptive Schemas by Young. The Polish adaptation of Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ) and The Questionnaire of Eating Behaviour (QEB) were used in the study. Results: In relation to the overall Eating Behaviour Questionnaire and its subscales – emotional overeating, habitual overeating, and dietary restrictions – most schemas showed statistically significant associations and served as significant predictors in regression models. Conclusions: The result obtained shows important research tendencies and may indicate the direction of further scientific research linking Young's schema theory to abnormal eating u.