A study of the mediating role of early maladaptive schemas in the effects of occupational stress on cognitive failures among mine workers

Cognitive failures can be an important link between occupational stress and the occurrence of work-related accidents. On the other side, early maladaptive schemas can fundamentally affect cognitive processing and individuals' reactions to stressors. This study modeled the effects between occupational stress and cognitive failures using early maladaptive schemas as a mediating variable among mine workers. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 285 mine workers of eastern Iran. Data were collected by the Osipow occupational stress inventory, Occupational Cognitive Failure Questionnaire (OCFQ), and Young Schema Questionnaire Short Form. This study employed Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) techniques using SmartPLS 3 to analyze data. The results revealed that occupational stress had a significant positive direct effect on cognitive failures (β = 0.375, P < 0.001) and on most early maladaptive schemas domains, with the strongest effect on impaired autonomy and performance (β = 0.459, P < 0.001). Notably, occupational stress showed a significant negative association with impaired limits (β = -0.172, P = 0.004 ). In turn, cognitive failures were most strongly predicted by disconnection and rejection (β = 0.396, P < 0.001) and impaired autonomy and performance (β = 0.278, P < 0.001). Mediation analyses indicated that disconnection and rejection (β = 0.144, P < 0.001) and impaired autonomy and performance (β = 0.127, P < 0.001) served as significant indirect pathways linking occupational stress to cognitive failures. The findings confirmed that occupational stress increases cognitive failures. Moreover, by activating early maladaptive schemas of disconnection and rejection and impaired autonomy and performance, it also indirectly affects these failures. Therefore, mining work environments should pay attention to workers' mental health, as neglecting it can exacerbate maladaptive thought and behavioral patterns. It is recommended that organizational interventions, in addition to reducing workplace stressors, focus on identifying and modifying these schemas and enhancing workers' sense of competence to prevent the occurrence of cognitive failures.