Predicting Violence Based on Early Maladaptive Schemas: The Mediating Role of Psychological Flexibility and Distress Tolerance in Prisoners

Goodarzi, Mahmoud; Sheikh Esmaeili, Delnia; Morovati, Faramarz; Akbari, Reza

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Predicting Violence Based on Early Maladaptive Schemas: The Mediating Role of Psychological Flexibility and Distress Tolerance in Prisoners

Mahmoud Goodarzi

, Delnia Sheikh Esmaeili

, Faramarz Morovati ^*

, Reza Akbari

Abstract: (17 Views)

Background and Objectives: Violence in prisons is a major challenge within the penal system, associated with extensive individual and social consequences. The present study aimed to predict violence based on early maladaptive schemas, with the mediating role of psychological flexibility and distress tolerance, in male prisoners in Kermanshah.

Materials & Methods: This research was applied in purpose and descriptive correlational in method. The statistical population comprised all male prisoners in Kermanshah Central Prison in 2025 (1404 AH). A total of 305 participants were selected through multi stage cluster random sampling. Data were collected using the Young Early Maladaptive Schema Questionnaire Short Form, the Akbari et al. Psychological Flexibility Questionnaire, the Simons & Gaher Distress Tolerance Scale, and the Williams et al. Aggression Questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using Pearson correlation coefficient and path analysis within a structural equation modelling framework, along with the bootstrap method, employing SPSS 26 and AMOS 23.

Results: The findings indicated that the proposed model had a good fit (CMIN/DF=1.99, RMSEA=0.057, CFI=0.998). Early maladaptive schemas had a significant positive direct effect on violence (β=0.40, P<0.001). Furthermore, the total indirect effect of schemas on violence through psychological flexibility and distress tolerance was negative and significant (β=-0.23, P<0.001). Overall, the predictor variables explained 56% of the variance in violence.

Conclusion: Early maladaptive schemas lead to increased violence in prisoners both directly and indirectly, by reducing psychological flexibility and decreasing distress tolerance. These findings have important practical implications for designing psychological interventions based on schema therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) within the rehabilitation and correctional system.

Open Access Policy: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Keywords: Violence, Early Maladaptive Schemas, Psychological Flexibility, Distress Tolerance, Prisoners

Type of Study: Research | Subject: Health Behavior
Received: 2026/03/25 | Accepted: 2026/08/2

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