ASSESSING THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF EARLY MALADAPTIVE SCHEMAS ON ADULT HEALTH-SAVING BEHAVIOR

Abstract

Purpose: assessment of the possible impact of early maladaptive cognitive models formed in childhood on the formation of health-saving practices in adults. Materials and Methods. The methods of correlation and regression analysis, analytical and systematic approaches were used to process and interpret the data. J. Young's methodology for interpreting data on the impact of early maladaptive schemes on the level of health-saving behavior was also used. A total of 73 clinical hospital nurses were randomly selected. Results. The study found that individuals who adhere to health-saving behavior are characterized by a low expression of early maladaptive cognitive schemas. The least pronounced schemas were emotional deprivation, failure, social isolation, defectiveness, dependence, vulnerability, underdeveloped self, submissiveness, and punitiveness. This indicates a low tendency of respondents to form stable negative beliefs about themselves, interpersonal relationships, and the world in general. Thus, it can be argued that psychological maturity, emotional stability, and positive self-perception are important psychological characteristics of people who lead a health-saving lifestyle. Conclusions. The prevalence of low levels of key maladaptive schemes (from 53.4% to 89%) among the majority of participants indicates formed adaptive attitudes, a positive perception of themselves and others, stable selfesteem, and a basic sense of security and autonomy. This creates a favorable psychological basis for the formation of health-saving behavior and the prevention of psychosomatic disorders. The correlation analysis confirmed a pronounced relationship between certain maladaptive schemes (including deficits, failure, addiction, etc.) and adaptive health strategies, which emphasizes the feasibility of including psychological approaches in programs to support psychophysical well-being.