فصلنامه روانشناسی شناختی

This study aimed to determine the structural model of cognitive depression based on early maladaptive schemas with the mediation of cognitive processing of personality traits in students. The research method was correlational and based on structural equation modeling. A sample of 300 students from Tehran universities was selected using a multistage cluster sampling method. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI, 1961), Young’s Early Maladaptive Schemas Questionnaire (1998), Cognitive Processing Questionnaire, and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling in SPSS version 25 and AMOS version 22. The results showed that the proposed model did not exhibit an adequate fit. Direct effect analysis indicated that early maladaptive schemas had a significant positive impact on cognitive depression and personality traits. However, the examination of indirect effects revealed that early maladaptive schemas did not mediate cognitive depression through the cognitive processing of personality traits. Overall, the findings suggested that early maladaptive schema components can directly influence students' cognitive depression, but this effect is not significant through the mediation of cognitive processing of personality traits.