Objectives The present study aimed to examine the relationship between early maladaptive schemas with meaning of life and well-being of the elderly and investigation and its prediction by early maladaptive schemas.
Methods & Materials In this research, a total of 200 older people (96 women and 104 men) were selected from Tehran city by convenience sampling. The instruments used in this study consisted of the Yung early maladaptive Schema Questionnaire – Short Form (SQ-SF), Meaning of Life Questionnaire (MLQ) and Ryffs Scales of Psychological Well-Being (RSPWB).
Results The results of multiple regression analyses showed that 37% of the elderly participants found meaning, 27% found meaning in life, 27% in self- acceptance, 24% in positive relationship with the others, and 44% in environment control, as predicted by early maladaptive schemas. Early maladaptive schemas cannot project autonomy, personal growth and purpose in life. This correlation was significant (P<0.001). Based on the analyses of variance, the regression method was also significant and linear because the value of F test for determining the effect of independent variables on finding meaning and meaning in life, i.e., 5.21 and 3.22, respectively, was significant (P<0.001). Also, the effect of independent variables on well-being and self-acceptance (f=3.22) showed a positive relationship with others (f=2.68) and environment control (f=2.17), which was significant (P<0.001) .
Conclusion Findings of this research revealed that early maladaptive schemas (unrelenting standards, self-sacrifice, subjugation, emotional deprivation, social isolation, and failure) have predictive power for meaning of life and well-being, which may affect the mental health of the elderly.