Association between the early Maladaptive Schemes and Extra Marital Relationship among Married People

Nowadays family life is bonded with risks which threat its health and continuity. One of these risks is having extramarital relationship. This matter is affected by factors such as biological, psychological and social conditions. One of the possible effective Psychological and Personality factors on extramarital relationship is early maladaptive schemas. The aim of this research is to find a association between the early maladaptive schemas and extramarital relationship among married people. This Cross-sectional study is descriptive and analytical. 150 married men and women from different areas of Tehran city were chosen. The data were collected by using three questionnaires: demographic characteristics, short form of Young early maladaptive schemas and justification of extramarital relationship, in the 2014. Then the information was analyzed by using descriptive statistics and Chi-square independent and paird T tests in SPSSV16 software. 64% of participants found the extramarital relationship acceptable and justifiable under some circumstances. The rate for men was 77.5% and for women was 50.5% and the reasons for this relationship were emotional, love, sexual and external reasons respectively. There was a significant statistical association between justification of extramarital relationship and early maladaptive schemas (excluding self-sacrificing) and total number of schemas (p<0.001). Amongst demographic characters, the gender had a significant statistical relationship with extramarital involvement (p=0.008). Considering the relationship between justification of extra marital involvement and early maladaptive schemas, it is possible to use these schemas to initiate the people who are exposing to the danger of this relationship. Also treating schemas can be a useful method to treat hurt people from disloyalty.