Investigating the Relationship between the Anxiety of Working Mothers and the Early Maladaptive Schemas of Children Aged 5 to 7 in Shiraz City, Iran

Abstract

Background: Children are a crucial facet of society, serving as significant agents who play an essential role in shaping future generations and promoting social well-being. Additionally, the individual characteristics of parents, particularly mothers, have a profound impact on their children's development. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the anxiety levels of working mothers and the early maladaptive schemas of children aged 5 to 7 years in Shiraz City, Iran. Methods: This research employed a descriptive-correlational design and utilized a questionnaire survey method. The statistical population consisted of working mothers who visited counseling centers in Shiraz City during the six-month period of the study. A random sampling method was used to select a sample size of 132 participants for the research. Data were collected using Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Young Schema Questionnaire (SQ). Subsequently, the data were analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, correlation, and regression tests in SPSS software. Findings: There was a significant relationship between the anxiety levels of working mothers and the early maladaptive schemas of children aged 5 to 7 years (r = 0.425, P < 0.001). Additionally, there was a notable correlation between the anxiety of positively oriented working mothers and the early maladaptive schemas of their children (r = 0.407, P < 0.001). Furthermore, a significant relationship existed between the anxiety of negatively oriented working mothers and their children's early maladaptive schemas (r = 0.433, P < 0.001). The negative anxiety component accounted for 44 of the variance associated with early maladaptive schemas. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that the anxiety experienced by working mothers had a significant relationship with children's early maladaptive schemas. Strengthening the behavioral dynamics between mothers and their children necessitates identifying and addressing the primary factors that contribute to maternal anxiety. By fostering a nurturing environment and improving access to mental health resources, it may be possible to mitigate the adverse effects of anxiety on parent-child interactions and reduce the emergence of early maladaptive schemas in children. © 2025, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.