The mediating role of cognitive emotion regulation strategies in the relationship between early maladaptive schemas with psychological distress

Background: Psychological distress among prisoners has a higher percentage than among the general population. This study investigated cognitive emotion control techniques' mediating function in the interaction among maladaptive early schemas with psychological distress. Methods: The male inmates of Chenaran Prison in Razavi Khorasan Province were the participants of this correlational and descriptive study in 2021. Out of which 350 people were selected as samples using the method of convenience sampling. Data were collected by the questionnaires of Young Schema Short Form, Psychological distress, and Cognitive Emotion Regulation. Software such as Amos 24, SPSS 25 and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data. Results: Path coefficient findings indicated that early maladaptive schemas have a positive and significant direct impact on cognitive emotion regulation strategies (g= 0.58, P = 0.01) and psychological distress (g= 0.37, P= 0.01). Also, the direct effect of cognitive emotion regulation strategies on psychological distress was positive and significant (b= 0.65, P= 0.001). Examining the standardized coefficients of indirect effects showed that by cognitive emotion control techniques, maladaptive early schemas used to have a beneficial and substantial impact on psychological distress (IF= 0.37, P = 0.001). Conclusion: According to the findings, early maladaptive schemas can predict the level of psychological distress by influencing emotion regulation strategies. This research reveals the requirement to pay closer attention to the inmates' mental health through comprehensive planning to empower them and timely interventions.