Early Maladaptive Schemas, Alexithymia, Emotional Regulation, and Death Anxiety Adults with Phobias

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between early maladaptive schemas, alexithymia, emotional regulation, and death anxiety in adults with phobias. It further examined the mediating role of alexithymia and emotional regulation in the association between maladaptive schema modes and death anxiety. Using a correlational research design, a purposive sample of 250 individuals with specific phobias, aged 18 to 40, was recruited from psychological clinics and mental health centers across Punjab, Pakistan. Participants were assessed using the Schema Mode Inventory (SMI), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS 20), Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), and Death Anxiety Scale (DAS). Results from SPSS-26 indicated significant correlations among the variables, highlighting that maladaptive schema modes, such as Vulnerable Child and Punitive Parent, strongly predict increased death anxiety. Alexithymia mediated the relationship between maladaptive schema modes and death anxiety, while dysfunctional emotional regulation strategies, such as suppression, amplified the effects. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the cognitive and emotional mechanisms underlying death anxiety in individuals with phobias. They emphasize the need for therapeutic interventions targeting schema modes, improving emotional awareness, and fostering adaptive regulation strategies to alleviate death anxiety. This research contributes valuable insights into culturally sensitive approaches for addressing phobia-related anxiety in Pakistan.