ORCID

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7277-9338

Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Psychology (Ph.D.)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Raymond DiGiuseppe

Second Advisor

Jeffrey Nevid

Third Advisor

Wilson McDermut

Abstract

This study explored the complex relationship between irrational beliefs, maladaptive schemas, and anger using validated quantitative methods and a novel Articulated Thoughts in Simulated Situations (ATSS) paradigm. An investigation involving 170 participants from student and general populations used text-based scenarios to induce anger, revealing significant associations between expressed irrational beliefs, early maladaptive schemas, trait anger, and general anger dysfunction. While irrational beliefs were not significantly linked to induced anger levels in this non-clinical population, state anger increased the strength of the relationship between anger outcomes and early maladaptive schemas, suggesting that heightened emotional states may amplify schema impact on anger processing and reactions. However, key schemas most predictive of dysfunctional anger remained stable regardless of induced anger. Importantly, early maladaptive schemas significantly mediated the relationship between irrational beliefs and both trait anger and overall anger dysfunction. This finding indicates that the influence of situational irrational beliefs on anger outcomes is partly explained by more pervasive cognitive-emotional patterns represented by early maladaptive schemas. These findings have important implications for cognitive-behavioral interventions, highlighting the need to address both irrational beliefs and maladaptive schemas in therapeutic settings. Potential directions for future research and additional practical applications in clinical practice are discussed.

Download

Share

COinS