The Mediating Role of Early Maladaptive Schemas in the Relationship Between Childhood Abuse and Forgiveness: A Structural Equation Modeling

Background: Experiencing childhood maltreatment can have different mental health outcomes. This study aimed to explore how childhood abuse and forgiveness are related, considering the mediating influence of early maladaptive schemas (EMSs). Methods: A total of 427 students were selected using random cluster sampling from three different universities in Tehran, Iran. This study utilized three instruments: Self-reported Experience of Childhood Abuse (Nourbakhsh, 2012), The Young Schema Questionnaire (Young, 1998, Young Schema Questionnaire Short Form ), and the Forgiveness Scale (Mauger et al., 1992, J Psychol Christ ., 11, 2, 170-180). Results: Data analysis was conducted using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) and PLS software, applying partial least squares structural equation modeling to examine the relationships among variables. Findings yielded a good model fit (standardized root mean square error of approximation [SRMSEA] = 0.08, goodness of fit [GOF] = 0.401, Q2 of EMSs = 0.095, Q2 of forgiveness = 0.088, R 2 of EMSs = 0.187, R 2 of forgiveness = 0.136). Direct path coefficients and indirect path coefficients yielded statistically significant results. Conclusions: This research supports the role of EMSs as a mediator between experiences of childhood abuse and the capacity for forgiveness.