How does culture influence thought- and behavioural patterns, and their relationship to psychopathology? Previous research has found that cultural norms may influence how the symptoms of psychopathology are expressed and interpreted. The present research examines culture through the lens of Hofstede’s collectivism-individualism dimension. Hofstede proposed culture as an integral factor for the formation of an individual’s personal values and identity. Therefore, it is predicted that culture may have a moderating influence on the relationship between schema modes and psychopathology. 

Schema modes (SM) can be considered the pillar of schema therapy treatment, as they are the observable, moment to moment expressions of the underlying schema architecture. The four maladaptive schema modes (Confused Child, Angry Child, Detached Protector, and Pretender) which were analysed make up the recently outlined core emotional need: Lack of a Coherent Identity (LCI).

To determine the occurrence of the schemas, 1,051 participants filled out a revised version of the Schema Mode Inventory (SMI). Clinical and non-clinical participants were recruited from two individualistic and two collectivistic countries. Hypotheses were tested by moderation analyses. It was found that culture moderated the relationship between three of the four schema modes and psychopathology. It was also found that the Pretender schema mode had a negative relationship with psychopathology. These findings support culture as a significant moderating factor in the relationship between schema modes and psychopathology. Future research focussing on the association of schema modes to specific disorders may clarify these relationships.