Subjugation

Explore the subjugation schema - a longstanding pattern where people feel they have to give up their needs, preferences, and opinions because they fear negative consequences, such as criticism, rejection, punishment, being left alone, or retaliation.

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Professional version

Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.

Client version

Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.

Overview

The Subjugation information handout is part of the Psychology Tools Schema series, designed to aid clients and therapists in effectively working with early maladaptive schemas (EMS). This resource explores the subjugation schema, which arises when individuals submit to others because they fear the consequences of expressing their rights and feelings (e.g., criticism, rejection, punishment, abandonment, or retaliation). At the same time, they tend to view their needs, opinions, and desires as comparatively less important or valid. As a result, they often feel controlled and subservient in their relationships.

Why Use This Resource?

Schema therapy integrates various therapeutic approaches to address complex psychological difficulties. Using this resource helps clients:

  • Better understand early maladaptive schemas.
  • Recognize how the Subjugation schema operates in their lives.
  • Reflect on the origins of this schema.
  • Explore what healing this schema might entail.

Key Benefits

Insight

Gain a deep understanding of the subjugation schema and its origins.

Awareness

Clarify how this schema manifests in day-to-day life.

Prepare

Help clients prepare for addressing this schema.

Who is this for?

Depression

Subjugation can contribute to low mood and feelings of entrapment.

Social Anxiety

Social fears lead to submissive interpersonal behaviors.

Other Difficulties

Subjugation has been associated with addictions, burnout, personality disorders, and relationship problems.

Integrating it into your practice

01

Educate

Provide clients with psychoeducation on schemas.

02

Explore

Discuss whether clients relate to the Subjugation schema.

03

Monitor

Encourage clients to monitor their schemas between sessions.

04

Intervene

Use cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and relational interventions to address the Subjugation schema.

Theoretical Background & Therapist Guidance

Schema therapy provides a comprehensive model for understanding and address complex psychological difficulties. It is based on the idea that unmet emotional needs in childhood lead to the development of early maladaptive schemas (EMS). These entrenched patterns persist into adulthood, negatively affecting how people think, feel, and relate to others.

People with a subjugation schema let others dominate them because they are afraid of what might happen if they don’t. For instance, they might worry that expressing themselves will lead to rejection, abandonment, or retaliation. However, always going along with other people want often leaves them feeling frustrated and powerless.

What's inside

  • Detailed overview of schema theory and key schema therapy concepts.
  • Insight into early maladaptive schemas and their development.
  • Comprehensive description of the subjugation schema and its aetiology.
  • Suggestions for how to meet the needs of clients with this schema in therapy.
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FAQs

It often results in behaviors like people-pleasing, conflict avoidance, and passive compliance, driven by fear of adverse consequences.
This schema is associated with a wide variety of difficulties, including addictions, bipolar disorder, body image problems, and eating disorders.
Therapists should use key schema-focused interventions, such as cognitive restructuring, emotion-focused techniques (e.g., chairwork), and relational interventions, that help clients to express their needs and establish healthier boundaries.

How This Resource Improves Clinical Outcomes

This resource enhances clinical outcomes by:

  • Increasing client awareness of the Subjugation schema.
  • Informing schema case conceptualizations and treatment planning.
  • Helping clients generate ideas about how they can begin to address this schema.

References And Further Reading

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