Abstract
OBJECTIVES: There is not any research about relation between early maladaptive schemas and Sexual self schemas. Our study aims to demonstrate the potential relations between Sexual self schemas and Early maladaptive schemas in the development of vaginismus.
METHOD: This study encompassed 43 women who received a diagnosis of vaginismus and 30 who were sexually healthy voluntary women. All participants completed the sociodemographic data form, sexual life information form, Young Schema Scale–Short Form 3 and Sexual Self Schema Scale.
RESULTS: Our study revealed that the patients with vaginismus are different from healthy control group regarding early maladaptive schemas. Negativity/pessimism, Approval-seeking/Recognition-seeking, Punitiveness, Vulnerability to harm or illness and Unrelenting standards/Hypercriticalness sub-scales were significantly high in the vaginismus group. A positive correlation was found between the Sensual/Stimulating subscale of the Sexual self-schema scale and the İnsufficient Self-control/Self-discipline and Unrelenting standards/Hypercriticalness subscales of the Young schema scale. A positive correlation was also found between the Direct/Outspoken subscale of the Sexual self-schema scale and the Approval-seeking/Recognition-seeking, İnsufficient self-control/Self-discipline and Unrelenting standards/Hypercriticalness subscales of the Young schema scale. This study will motivate subsequent studies to achieve more specific results by monitoring post-treatment changes.

Key words: Cognition, self, sexual, schemas, vaginismus