Disconnected and ashamed: early maladaptive schemas, self-stigma and resilience among the asexual population from Poland

Asexual individuals are exposed to stigmatization and social exclusion, often resulting in self-stigma. Negative beliefs about oneself and the world can develop due to negative experiences throughout life, affecting one’s functioning through early maladaptive schemas (EMS), reportedly elevated among sexual minorities. These factors may result in depression, anxiety, or diminished satisfaction with life (SWL). Previous research shows that resilience, an ability to adapt to challenging environments, is beneficial in coping with minority stress and EMS. This study aims to identify relationships between EMS, self-stigma, resilience, distress, and SWL among asexual individuals from Poland. Additionally, two control groups (gay/lesbian and bisexual) were included due to limited prior comparative research. The study included 113 asexual, 110 gay/lesbian, and 107 bisexual participants. The results showed that the asexual sample exhibited the highest scores in self-stigma and the lowest in EMS Impaired limits domain among all populations. The EMS Disconnection and rejection domain was the most influential variable in all groups but exhibited the most robust links with depression and self-stigma in the asexual sample. Partial least square structural equation modeling showed resilience’s mediating role between EMS and self-stigma, suggesting that inner abilities may be insufficient when coping with partially socially inducted negative self-perception.