The Mediating Role of the Disconnection and Rejection Schema in the Relationship Between Family of Origin Experiences and Coping Attitudes

This study investigated whether the Disconnection and Rejection schema domain mediates the relationship between family-of-origin experiences and adult coping attitudes. Data from 457 adults (382 women, 75 men) were collected using the Family of Origin Scale-Short Form II, Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form-3, and Coping Attitudes Assessment Scale. Structural equation modeling and bootstrap analyses revealed that the Disconnection and Rejection domain fully mediated this relationship. Positive family experiences predicted lower schema levels, leading to adaptive coping; the direct effect became non-significant. These findings highlight schema-based cognitive-emotional processes as a key mechanism linking early family functioning to adult coping attitudes.