The aim of this study was to compare early maladaptive schemas, emotion regulation and general health in offender prisoner men and normal group men.

The study method was causal – comparative (ex post facto). Participants included two groups: (1) all of offender prisoner men (n = 47) in Fooman jail and (2) normal group men (n = 47) in Fooman. Both groups were matched for age, occupation and education. All of the participants completed Young maladaptive schema questionnaire (Y MSQ), cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire (CERQ-P) and general health questionnaire (GHQ-12) individually. Data were analysed using independent t-test and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).

There was significant difference between two groups in total score of early maladaptive schema questionnaire and also in its subscales included abandonment, impaired autonomy/performance, impaired limits, other – directedness, over vigilance/inhibition, emotional inhibition (P < 0/01). The general health was different between groups, too. In addition, while groups showed significant difference in total score of emotion regulation and one of the subscales (rumination), no significant difference was explored between groups in self-blame, acceptance, positive refocusing, planning refocusing, positive re-evaluation, perspective taking, catastrophizing and others blame.

Significant differences between the two groups in terms of general health, schema dimensions and emotional regulation dimensions suggest that dysfunctional schemas, maladaptive emotional strategies and low general health could be involved in criminal behaviour.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.