Journal article
Early maladaptive schemas and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a scoping review
Clinical Psychologist , Vol.Advanced Access
13-Aug-2026
Abstract
Objective: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder associated with executive functioning difficulties. ADHD individuals are at a higher risk of persistent criticism, potentially leading to the development of early maladaptive schemas (EMS). Yet, little is known about the link between ADHD and EMS. The purpose of this scoping review was to examine the existing literature regarding ADHD and EMS, synthesising and evaluating relevant research.
Method: A comprehensive search of seven electronic databases was undertaken to identify literature regarding ADHD and EMS. Reference lists of articles were also searched.
Results: Six studies were included in the review. Several EMS—most prominently social isolation/alienation, defectiveness/shame, failure, and insufficient self-control/self-discipline—were consistently found to be correlated with ADHD symptoms and elevated in ADHD populations when compared to healthy controls. However, limitations of the evidence include insufficient sample-size justification, inconsistent analysis of EMS individually, reliance on cross-sectional designs, and limited studies investigating specific subpopulations of ADHD.
Conclusion: Based on the results, a theoretical schema therapy formulation for ADHD is proposed. Evidence suggests a link between ADHD and EMS, but further research is required to understand the directionality and variance among subpopulations, and to support relationships between ADHD and other aspects of schema therapy.
KEY POINTS
What is already known about this topic:
(1) Individuals with ADHD often face persistent criticism from caregivers, educators, and peers in early life, increasing the risk of developing co-occurring mental disorders.
(2) EMS, a core construct of Schema Therapy, develop in early childhood and have been recognised as a transdiagnostic factor across several mental disorders.
(3) Limited research has associated ADHD symptoms and diagnoses with various EMS.
What this topic adds:
(1) The results of six included studies indicated that several EMS were consistently elevated in ADHD populations and positively correlated with ADHD symptoms.
(2) The most prominent EMS included social isolation/alienation, defectiveness/shame, failure to achieve, insufficient self-control/self-discipline, and emotional inhibition, which align with common symptoms and difficulties associated with ADHD.
(3) Based on these findings, it is suggested that individuals with ADHD form EMS based on negative early experiences and criticism, which may be activated later in life
Details
- Title
- Early maladaptive schemas and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a scoping review
- Authors
- Maddie Cook - University of the Sunshine CoastAndrew Allen (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
- Publication details
- Clinical Psychologist , Vol.Advanced Access
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- DOI
- 10.1080/13284207.2026.2713449
- ISSN
- 1742-9552
- Copyright note
- © 2026 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Psychology; School of Law and Society; Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991253598802621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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