European Online Journal of Natural and Social Sciences 2016; www.european-science.com Vol.5, No.2 pp. 399-405 ISSN 1805-3602 Investigating the Relationship between Alexithymia and Early Maladaptive Schema among University Students in Tabriz Karim Abdolmohammadi 1* , Mikaeil Hosseinzadeh 1 , Farhad Ghadiri Sourman Abadi 1 , Mahsa Khaleghi 2 1 Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran; 2 Bu-Ali Sina University, Iran * E-mail:karim.Abdolmohamadi@yahoo.com Received for publication: 03 December 2016. Accepted for publication: 20 March 2016. Abstract Alexithymia is a problem that shows itself in the emotional and cognitive functioning level and is known as the in ability or failure to explain or understand the emotions This study examined the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and alexithymia in a sample student. This study is descriptive corelational. Sample of 220 undergraduate students of Tabriz University were selected by stratified random sampling and they were administered by questionnaire Toronto alexithymia (TAS-20), and early maladaptive schemas Yang Short Form (YSQ-SF). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and simultaneous regression analysis. The results showed that the components of early maladaptive schemas, disconnection and rejection, impaired autonomy and performance, impaired Limits, directedness, and vigilance/inhibition have a significant positive relationship with alexithymia. Also, the findings of the regression analysis show that impaired autonomy and performance, over vigilance/inhibition, are predictors of alexithymia . Therefore, it is essential to predict early maladaptive schemas and treat people with alexithymia. Keywords: Alexithymia, Early maladaptive schemas, students Introduction Alexithymia is a known syndrome in the field of emotional disorders. The term alexithymia was coined in 1973 by Sifneos and derived from the Greek root of Alexi (Lack of words) and thymus (emotion) and show an inability to express emotions (Lesser, 1985 cited in Ghadirisourmanabadi et al,2015). Features of alexithymia comprise inability of symbolic thinking, lack of imagination, emotional coldness, objectively words and thoughts related to external events (Gunzelmann, Kopfer, & Brahler, 2002). People with alexithymia interpret normal bodily agitation as big, physical symptoms of emotional arousal as bad, show emotional distress through bodily complaints and with regard to therapeutic interventions, they are also seeking treatment for physical symptoms (Tylor, Parker, Bagby, Acklin, 2002, cited in Besharat et al., 2008). People with this trait have problems in understanding the emotional states of others and in interpersonal relationships, demonstrate limited empathy (Bern Baum & Prince, 1979; Hashemi et al., 2012). Childhood experiences with those who fail to show and express their emotions, or do not recognize the evolving and shaping the child’s emotions and behave poorly with the emotions of a child can have a profound effect on emotion regulation in the next stages of life (Meins, Harris, Waller, Lloyd, 2008; Humphreys, Wood, Parker, 2009). On the other hand, Aaron T. Beck (1967, 1976), more than 30 years ago, in his theory about emotional disorders emphasized on cognitive schemas functions as the most basic factors. According to this theory, schemas play a major role in creating and sustaining mental and emotional problems and also recurrence of disease (Riso, Toit, Stein, Young, 2007: 221-223 Translator, Openly accessible at http://www.european-science.com 399