Factor structure and reliability of the Japanese version of the Young Schema Questionnaire Short Form

The Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-SF) is one of the most widely used measures of individual early maladaptive schemas in schema therapy, and this study examined the factor structure and reliability of its Japanese version (YSQ-SF-J). We created a subsample to ensure the samples' mutual independence (N= 248, mean age= 19.75; 121 females). Then, Japanese participants (N= 800) completed the Japanese-translated YSQ-SF. Participants were divided into 2 samples: Sample 1 (n= 700, mean age= 23.05; 350 females); and Sample 2 (n= 100, mean age= 20.27; 50 females) for test-retest reliability. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed that the YSQ-SF-J's item-factor structure was identical to the English version. Moreover, the scale showed good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Results revealed the scale's adequate psychometric properties. Thus, this study provided the first examples of empirical support for the YSQ-SF-J.