Negative inferences as mediators of the predictive association between early maladaptive schemas and depressive symptoms in adolescents

The present study examined an etiological model of depressive symptoms in adolescents, through which the predictive relationships between early maladaptive schemas (Young, 1999) and depressive symptoms were hypothesized to be mediated by negative inferences made about stressors (Abramson, Metalsky, & Alloy, 1989). More specifically, this study tested a chain in which interpersonal schemas indirectly affect depressive symptoms through negative social inferences, and autonomy schemas indirectly affect depressive symptoms through negative achievement inferences. Participants were 982 adolescents who completed measures of early maladaptive schemas at T1, negative inferences at T1 and T2, and depressive symptoms at T1, T2, and T3. Mediation analyses showed that social inferences mediated the association between interpersonal schemas and depressive symptoms at follow-up. Furthermore, autonomy schemas predicted T2 achievement inferences. However, T2 achievement inferences did not predict T3 depressive symptoms. Finally, autonomy schemas predicted T3 depressive symptoms. Implications for depression interventions are discussed.