Presenting a Model of Love Trauma Syndrome Based on Childhood Abuse Experiences: Examining the Mediating Role of Early Maladaptive Schemas

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.

2 PhD student in Psychology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Love is regarded as one of the most fundamental human experiences, and the failure of romantic relationships can It has significant effects on various aspects of human health.This study aimed to investigate the structural model of the relationship between love trauma syndrome and childhood abuse experiences with the mediating role of early maladaptive schemas.

Method: The present study employed a correlational research design using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population consisted of all students at Urmia University during the 2024–2025 academic year. A sample of 420 students was selected through a multistage cluster sampling method from different faculties. Participants completed the Bernstein Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Young Schema Questionnaire–Short Form (YSQ-SF), and the Ross Love Trauma Syndrome (LTI). Data were analyzed using method structural equation modeling with SPSS-27 and SmartPLS-4.

Results: The findings showed that childhood abuse experiences have a direct and significant effect on the experience of love trauma syndrome, and early maladaptive schemas have a mediating role (P<0.05). In fact, the effects of childhood trauma are exerted on the experience of love trauma symptoms through early maladaptive schemas.

Discussion and conclusion: The findings emphasize the necessity for mental health professionals to focus on the underlying factors contributing to love trauma symptoms, particularly childhood trauma and early maladaptive schemas, and it is suggested that by designing innovative interventions and appropriate skill-based training, students’ adaptive capacity in experiencing Romantic breakup be enhanced.

Keywords

Clinical Psychology and Personality

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 16 August 2025

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics