Test Overview

The Young Maladaptive Schemas Inventory (Improved Version) is a 75-item self-report questionnaire rated on a six-point scale (0 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree). It assesses 18 core schemas— deep patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior formed in childhood.

• Items: 75 statements
• Scale: 0–5
• Time: ~15–20 mins
• Interpretation: Higher score = stronger schema presence

1. Abandonment / Instability

Fear that relationships will end or be unreliable.

• Expecting loved ones to leave unexpectedly
• Seeing relationships as unstable
• Hypervigilance to rejection cues

2. Mistrust / Abuse

Expectation that others will hurt or manipulate you.

• Belief people seek to exploit you
• Difficulty trusting intentions
• Anticipation of betrayal

3. Emotional Deprivation

Feeling emotional needs won’t be met.

• Belief no one understands or cares
• Sense of emotional isolation
• Expecting lack of support

4. Defectiveness / Shame

Belief you’re flawed or unlovable.

• Feelings of worthlessness
• Fear of criticism
• Hiding perceived flaws

5. Social Isolation / Alienation

Sensing you don’t fit in.

• Feeling disconnected from peers
• Belief you’re different
• Sense of being misunderstood

6. Dependence / Incompetence

Belief you can’t handle life alone.

• Relying on others for decisions
• Fear of inability without help
• Avoidance of independence

7. Vulnerability to Harm or Illness

Chronic fear of disaster or illness.

• Anxiety about health or safety
• Constant worry
• Difficulty relaxing

8. Enmeshment / Undeveloped Self

Excessive emotional involvement.

• Poor personal boundaries
• Loss of individual goals
• Self-esteem tied to others

9. Failure

Feeling inadequate compared to peers.

• Expecting to fail
• Avoiding challenges
• Self-fulfilling fear of incompetence

10. Entitlement / Grandiosity

Belief you deserve special treatment.

• Expecting compliance from others
• Disregard for rules
• Lack of empathy

11. Insufficient Self-Control / Self-Discipline

Difficulty controlling impulses.

• Giving in to desires
• Struggling with long-term goals
• Emotional reactivity

12. Self-Sacrifice

Putting others’ needs first.

• Neglecting your own desires
• Fear of upsetting others
• Feeling resentful

13. Subjugation

Yielding control to avoid conflict.

• Suppressing objections
• Fear of angering others
• Passive compliance

14. Approval-Seeking / Recognition-Seeking

Reliance on external validation.

• Needing praise
• Hiding true feelings
• Fear of not being admired

15. Negativity / Pessimism

Focus on worst-case outcomes.

• Chronic worry
• Cynical outlook
• Difficulty seeing positives

16. Emotional Inhibition

Suppressing feelings to avoid disapproval.

• Hiding anger or joy
• Remaining unemotional
• Fear of vulnerability

17. Unrelenting Standards / Perfectionism

Striving relentlessly for perfection.

• Self-criticism
• Fear of mistakes
• Workaholism

18. Punitiveness

Belief in harsh punishment for mistakes.

• Critical attitude
• Low tolerance for imperfection
• Desire for retribution