Dependence / Incompetence
The Dependence / Incompetence handout is designed to help therapists and clients better understand this early maladaptive schema as part of the Psychology Tools Schema series.
Dependence / Incompetence
Early maladaptive schemas (or 'schemas' for short) are negative themes or patterns in our thoughts and feelings that persist throughout our lives. This tool will introduce you to the dependence / incompetence schema.
Overview
Schema therapy posits that psychological difficulties stem from early maladaptive schemas (EMS) and clients’ characteristic responses to them, referred to as ‘coping styles’. People with a dependence / incompetence schema experience a pervasive sense of helplessness, ineptitude, and inadequacy (Young et al., 2003). They feel incapable of managing their lives independently and heavily rely on others for care and guidance. As a result, they often struggle with low self-esteem, self-criticism, and sense of inferiority.
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