The Role of Early Maladaptive Schemas in Post-Migration Life Difficulties of Traumatised Asylum Seekers

Migration is a complex phenomenon shaped by personal and systemic crises that disproportionately affect asylum seekers. These individuals often experience traumas spanning pre-migration, transit, and post- migration phases. This study examines the psychological impact of migration, focusing on early maladaptive schemas (EMS) which are deeply ingrained, negative patterns of thinking and feeling about oneself and others, typically developed in childhood, that influence perceptions and responses to life experiences in asylum seekers with PTSD. Findings reveal that PTSD was associated with significantly higher levels of EMS related to emotional deprivation (M = 3.37, SD = 1.49), abandonment (M = 3.10, SD = 1.55), and mistrust compared to non-PTSD asylum seekers. These schemas not only reflect individual vulnerabilities but also structural inequalities rooted in global capitalism, which prioritizes profit over human dignity and forces individuals into precarious conditions. The exploitation of asylum seekers is deeply intertwined with systemic factors, including neoliberal migration policies, which create and sustain conditions of oppression. Post-migration stressors, such as housing insecurity and restricted access to employment, further exacerbate these psychological challenges. These structural conditions are not incidental but are designed to marginalize and exploit migrants, perpetuating cycles of trauma and inequality. The study calls for a critical perspective that not only addresses the psychological impacts of migration but also challenges the systemic forces that cause and sustain these vulnerabilities. Future research should investigate how to reshape therapeutic interventions and migration policies to prioritize human dignity and equitable resource distribution.