Background This study explored the relationship between childhood trauma, disconnection-rejection schemas, and depression among youths in the transition to independent living. Additionally, this study examined whether the impact of childhood trauma on depression, mediated by disconnection-rejection schemas, was moderated by the type of out-of-home care (residential care centers, group homes, and foster homes).
Methods A survey questionnaire measuring childhood trauma, disconnection-rejection schemas, and depression was administered to 201 participants.
Results Mistrust-abuse and defectiveness-shame schemas mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and depression. In all types of out-of-home care, both the mistrust-abuse and defectiveness-shame schemas mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and depression. There were no significant differences in mediating effects based on the type of out-of-home care.
Conclusions The findings of this study can be applied to the treatment of depression during the transition to independent living in individuals who have experienced childhood trauma.