Semantic network of rejection and disconnection: providing persian words and examining their relation to early maladaptive schemas of disconnection and rejection domain

In order to research in field of implicit cognitive processes and cognitive biases in early maladaptive schemas, providing any related stimulus to schemas is necessary. This descriptive study was conducted to determine the Persian words related to schemas of disconnection and rejection domain as the verbal stimulus. 404words were selected through reviewing the Persian lexicon, Sadri Afshar by researcher based on their relation to common unmet emotional needs and emotional memories of people with schemas. 164 words were selected based on content validity by three schema therapists as activating words for schemas and their related schemas were determined. Abandonment, mistrust, emotional deprivation, defectiveness and social isolation were determined to 32, 50, 29, 32 and 6 words. Then the extensions to which they were linked to schemas were evaluated in the 4 score Likert scale by 30 psychologists who were trained in schema therapy. The repetition of the core content in each group of words indicates patients’ concerns and emotions and importance of emphasis on speech and inner speech. This verbal database can provide materials for cognitive paradigms in evaluating, treating and preventing activation of schemas.