The Role of Childhood Trauma on Obesity with Mediating Early Maladaptive Schema and Self-compassion

Obesity is a major health problem, and the physical and interpersonal limitations associated with it lead to significant psychological distress. Childhood injuries can play a role in the formation of early maladaptive schemas self-compassion and obesity in adulthood. The aim of the present study is to determine the role of childhood trauma on obesity through the mediation of early maladaptive schemas and self-compassion.

The design of the current research was descriptive-correlational and structural equation modeling. The statistical population of the current study included all obese patients who were referred to specialized diet therapy centers in Isfahan City in the Fall and winter of 2020 and spring of 2021, from which 376 people were selected voluntarily as a sample. Then a structured interview was conducted for Axis 1 and 2 disorders (SCID-I and SCID-II) were administered, body mass index (BMI) was measured, and the subjects were asked to fill in the Young schemas-short form questionnaires (YSQ-S), childhood trauma questionnaires ( CTQ), self-compassion scale (SCS) answered. Then the collected data were analyzed using the structural equation modeling method.

The results of the research showed that childhood trauma is directly and indirectly related to obesity through primary maladaptive schemas and self-pity. Also, the results showed that early maladaptive schemas and self-pity are directly related to obesity.

Based on the results of the present study, early maladaptive schemas and self-pity mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and obesity. To treat obesity, the role of childhood trauma, self-pity, and early maladaptive schemas should also be considered.