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Wang Q. Childhood Trauma and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Among Chinese Adolescents: The Chain-Mediated Role of Alexithymia and Rumination. Psychiatry Investig 2024; 21:726-735. [PMID: 39089698 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2024.0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the associations between childhood trauma, alexithymia, rumination, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among adolescents and to provide theoretical and empirical evidence for effective prevention, identification, and intervention of NSSI in the future. METHODS Questionnaires, including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia scale, the Ruminative Responses Scale, and the Adolescents Self-Harm Scale, were given to 1,270 Chinese teenagers. The mediating role was simulated utilizing Amos 24.0. RESULTS The Pearson's product-difference correlation analyses indicated the two-by-two significant correlations between childhood trauma, alexithymia, rumination, and NSSI. The structural equation modeling suggests that alexithymia and rumination partially mediate between childhood trauma and NSSI in teenagers, respectively. Additionally, it reveals that alexithymia and rumination chain mediate between childhood trauma and NSSI. CONCLUSION The study confirms the impact of childhood trauma on adolescents' NSSI and also highlights the mediating role of alexithymia and rumination between the two. This study enriches the findings of NSSI and provides a theoretical basis for preventing and intervening in dysfunctional behaviors among adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoling Wang
- Education Center for Mental Health, Yantai Vocational College of Culture and Tourism, Shandong, China
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2
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Liu Y, Duan L, Shen Q, Ma Y, Chen Y, Xu L, Wu Y, Zhang T. The mediating effect of internet addiction and the moderating effect of physical activity on the relationship between alexithymia and depression. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9781. [PMID: 38684733 PMCID: PMC11058241 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60326-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
There is a certain relationship between alexithymia and depression, but further investigation is needed to explore their underlying mechanisms. The aims of this study was to explore the mediating role of internet addiction between alexithymia and depression and the moderating role of physical activity. A total of 594 valid responses were included in the analysis, with a mean age of 18.72 years (SD = 1.09). The sample comprised 250 males (42.09%) and 344 females (57.91%). These responses were utilized for descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and the development of mediation and moderation models. Alexithymia showed positive correlations with depression and internet addiction, and physical activity was negatively correlated with internet addiction and depression. Internet addiction partially mediated the relationship between alexithymia and depression, while physical activity weakened the association between internet addiction and depression, acting as a moderator. Our findings suggest that excessive Internet engagement may mediate the relationship between alexithymia and depression as an emotional regulatory coping strategy, and that physical activity attenuates the predictive effect of Internet addiction on depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- School of Sports Science, Jishou University, Jishou, China
| | - Liangfan Duan
- School of Sports Science, Jishou University, Jishou, China
| | - Qingxin Shen
- School of Sports Science, Jishou University, Jishou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Ma
- School of Sports Science, Jishou University, Jishou, China
| | - Yiyi Chen
- School of Sports Science, Jishou University, Jishou, China
| | - Lei Xu
- School of Sports Science, Jishou University, Jishou, China
- Institute of Physical Education, Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yawen Wu
- School of Sports Science, Jishou University, Jishou, China
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3
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Sun F, Wang F, Hu X, Xue J, Zheng S, Su J, Lu Q. Alexithymia and negative emotions among nursing students: a moderated mediation model. BMC Nurs 2024; 23:167. [PMID: 38459516 PMCID: PMC10921665 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-024-01832-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Nursing students, who comprise a high percentage of China's college students, experience many psychological problems; however, few studies explored the mechanisms underlying these problems. This cross-sectional study explored the relationships and mechanisms of depression, anxiety, stress, and narrative disorders in senior nursing students. Questionnaires were administered to 380 senior nursing students in Hubei Province using the Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Toronto Alexithymia-20 Scale, Perceived Social Support Scale, 10-Item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale. After controlling for sociodemographic variables, Hayes' PROCESS macros were used to test how psychological resilience moderates the relationships among narrative disorders, negative affect, and perceived social support. Bootstrap confidence intervals tested for indirect effects. Correlation analyses revealed that alexithymia was correlated significantly positively with depression-anxiety-stress (r = 0.57, 0.56, and 0.58, resp.) and significantly negatively with perceived social support (r = 0-0.46). Psychological resilience was correlated significantly negatively with alexithymia (r=-0.39) and depression-anxiety-stress (r=-0.31, -0.30, and-0.32, resp.) but significantly positively with perceived social support(r = 0.50). Perceived social support was correlated significantly negatively with depression-anxiety-stress (r=-0.33, -0.34, and - 0.42 resp.). Stress was correlated significantly positively with anxiety and depression (r = 0.81 and 0.77, resp.). Psychological resilience was a partial mediator between depression and dysphoria (β=-0.08, p < 0.05). Dysphoria directly predicted anxiety (β = 0.31) and stress (β = 0.37); moreover,alexithymia predicted depression not only directly but also through the mediating effect of psychological resilience. Therefore, educators and clinical administrators must promote and recognise negative emotions among nursing students to help ensure the nursing workforce's stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Sun
- Department of Nursing, Shandong Mental Health Center, Shandong University, 49 Wenhua East Road, 250014, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Xianning Vocational Technical College, 437100, Xianning, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaojing Hu
- Department of Nursing, Shandong Mental Health Center, Shandong University, 49 Wenhua East Road, 250014, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jiaomei Xue
- Society and Law School, Shandong Women's University, Changqing University Science and Technology Park, No. 2399, University Road, 25030, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Shangkun Zheng
- Human Resources Department, Shandong Mental Health Center, Shandong University, 49 Wenhua East Road, 250014, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jing Su
- Editorial Board, Journal of Shandong First Medical University, No. 6699 Qingdao Road, Huaiyin District, 250000, Jinan, China
| | - Qinghua Lu
- Department of Infection Management, Shandong Mental Health Center, Shandong University, 49 Wenhua East Road, 250014, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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Chen X, Wu Z, Zhan B, Ding D, Zhang X. Effects of Alexithymia on Moral Decision-Making in Sacrificial Dilemmas: High Alexithymia is Associated with Weaker Sensitivity to Moral Norms. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2023; 16:2315-2325. [PMID: 37396404 PMCID: PMC10314773 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s407744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Although several studies have investigated the association between alexithymia and moral decision-making in sacrificial dilemmas, the evidence remains mixed. The current work investigated this association and how alexithymia affects moral choice in such dilemmas. Methods The current research used a multinomial model (ie, CNI model) to disentangle (a) sensitivity to consequences, (b) sensitivity to moral norms, and (c) general preference for inaction versus action irrespective of consequences and norms in responses to moral dilemmas. Results Higher levels of alexithymia were associated with a greater preference for utilitarian judgments in sacrificial dilemmas (Study 1). Furthermore, individuals with high alexithymia showed significantly weaker sensitivity to moral norms than did those with low alexithymia, whereas there were no significant differences in sensitivity to consequences or a general preference for inaction versus action (Study 2). Conclusion The findings suggest that alexithymia affects moral choice in sacrificial dilemmas by blunting emotional reactions to causing harm, rather than through increased deliberative cost-benefit reasoning or general preference for inaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiyou Chen
- Department of Psychology, School of Education Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
- Center for Mind and Brain Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhihui Wu
- Department of Psychology, School of Education Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
- Center for Mind and Brain Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bin Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Daoqun Ding
- Department of Psychology, School of Education Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
- Center for Mind and Brain Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiangyi Zhang
- Department of Psychology, School of Education Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
- Cognition and Human Behavior Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
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5
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Hao L, Meng W, Xu M, Meng H. Work centrality and recovery experiences in dual-earner couples: Test of an actor-partner interdependence model. Stress Health 2022; 38:827-836. [PMID: 35218303 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Work centrality refers to individual beliefs regarding the degree of importance that work plays in their lives. To date, very little is known about the relationship between employees' work centrality and their work recovery. According to the resource allocation theory and spillover-crossover model, we aim to investigate the effects of work centrality on recovery experiences and explore the mediating role of spousal recovery support. Data from 177 matched dual-earner couples (N = 354) in China were analysed using the actor-partner interdependence model (APIM). Results showed that working couples who reported higher work centrality experienced lower levels of psychological detachment and relaxation. The wives' work centrality showed a direct and negative influence on the husbands' relaxation; however, no direct partner effects were found for husbands. Moreover, the wives' work centrality was related to the husbands' relaxation, mastery, and control experience through the husbands' perceived recovery support. Our results also suggested that the wives' perceived recovery support mediated the effects of the husbands' work centrality on the wives' psychological detachment, relaxation, mastery, and control experience when they had two children. Based on these findings, theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leilei Hao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weixuan Meng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengyang Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Meng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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6
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Role of Alexithymia in Predicting Internet Novel Addiction through Boredom Proneness. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148708. [PMID: 35886561 PMCID: PMC9319492 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
With the development of the internet, people’s pursuit of reading entertainment has enriched internet novels, but the relevant influencing factors are still unclear. Therefore, we recruited 344 Chinese college students and employed a questionnaire survey to explore the relationship between alexithymia, boredom proneness, and internet novel addiction. The results showed that (1) there was no significant difference between female and male college students in terms of alexithymia and boredom proneness, whereas male college students had a higher total score of internet novel addiction than females. (2) There were significant positive correlations between alexithymia, boredom proneness, and internet novel addiction. (3) Boredom proneness played a partial mediating role in the impact of alexithymia on the internet novel addiction. Taken together, alexithymia may directly and indirectly predict internet novel addiction through boredom proneness.
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7
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Tang WC, Lin MP, Wu JYW, Lee YT, You J. Mediating role of depression in the association between alexithymia and nonsuicidal self-injury in a representative sample of adolescents in Taiwan. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2022; 16:43. [PMID: 35705987 PMCID: PMC9202208 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-022-00477-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nock's (2009) integrated theoretical model suggests that specific intrapersonal vulnerability factors caused by distal risk factors contribute to the development of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Alexithymia and depression have been found to predict NSSI. Based on Nock's model, alexithymia plays a distal risk factor role to increase the risk of depression-an intrapersonal vulnerability factor-and further increase the risk of NSSI. However, small or unrepresentative samples in past studies limit the generalizability of the results. This study examined the roles of depression and alexithymia in predicting NSSI, as well as the mediating effect of depression in the relation between alexithymia and NSSI in a large representative sample of adolescents in Taiwan. METHODS Using a cross-sectional study design, a large representative sample of 2,170 senior high school students in Taiwan was assessed by self-report measures of alexithymia, depression, and NSSI. Mediation analyses were performed to examine whether the relation between alexithymia and NSSI was mediated by depression. The questionnaires were administered in classrooms. RESULTS Results showed that alexithymia positively predicted NSSI (β = 0.23, p < .001) and depression can also positively predict NSSI (β = 0.41, p < .001). Additionally, the association between alexithymia and NSSI was fully mediated by depression. CONCLUSIONS This study data provided evidence for the mediating role of depression between alexithymia and NSSI, which can be explained by Nock's (2009) integrated theoretical model. The implications of the findings for future research and intervention were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Ching Tang
- grid.412090.e0000 0001 2158 7670Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling, National Taiwan Normal University, No.162, Sec. 1, Heping E. Rd., Da-an District, 106 Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Min-Pei Lin
- Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling, National Taiwan Normal University, No.162, Sec. 1, Heping E. Rd., Da-an District, 106, Taipei City, Taiwan.
| | - Jo Yung-Wei Wu
- Good-Day Psychology Clinic, 5F., No. 167, Xialin Rd., South District, 702 Tainan City, Taiwan
| | - Yueh-Ting Lee
- grid.412120.40000 0004 0639 002XDepartment of Counseling and Guidance, National University of Tainan, No.33, Sec. 2, Shu- Lin St, 700 Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jianing You
- grid.263785.d0000 0004 0368 7397Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences (South China Normal University), & School of Psychology, Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, 510631 Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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8
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Leonidou C, Constantinou E, Panteli M, Panayiotou G. Attentional processing of unpleasant stimuli in alexithymia: Early avoidance followed by attention maintenance bias. COGENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/23311908.2022.2054531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Constantinou
- Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus; Kios Research & Innovation Center of Excellence, University of Cyprus
| | - Maria Panteli
- Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus; Center of Applied Neuroscience, University of Cyprus
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Abstract
The accurate decoding of facial emotion expressions lies at the center of many research traditions in psychology. Much of this research, while paying lip service to the importance of context in emotion perception, has used stimuli that were carefully created to be deprived of contextual information. The participants' task is to associate the expression shown in the face with a correct label, essentially changing a social perception task into a cognitive task. In fact, in many cases, the task can be carried out correctly without engaging emotion recognition at all. The present article argues that infusing context in emotion perception does not only add an additional source of information but changes the way that participants approach the task by rendering it a social perception task rather than a cognitive task. Importantly, distinguishing between accuracy (perceiving the intended emotions) and bias (perceiving additional emotions to those intended) leads to a more nuanced understanding of social emotion perception. Results from several studies that use the Assessment of Contextual Emotions demonstrate the significance and social functionality of simultaneously considering emotion decoding accuracy and bias for social interaction in different cultures, their key personality and societal correlates, and their function for close relationships processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ursula Hess
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
| | - Konstantinos Kafetsios
- School of Film, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.,Katedra Psychology, Palacký University in Olomouc, Czech Republic
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Mason D, Happé F. The role of alexithymia and autistic traits in predicting quality of life in an online sample. RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS 2022; 90:None. [PMID: 35116075 PMCID: PMC8763252 DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2021.101887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autistic people tend to report poorer Quality of Life (QOL) than comparison groups, though some studies do report more optimistic findings. Higher autistic traits are also related to poorer QOL. However, the role of alexithymia in this relationship has not been explored. METHOD A total of 163 participants (N = 53 autistic and N = 111 comparison) consented to take part; however, 30 participants were excluded due to missing data (who did not differ from those who were retained on age, gender, education, employment, or living status), leaving a final sample of 133 (N = 42 Autistic and 91 Comparison participants). Demographic information (including age, gender) was collected, alongside self-report measures of autistic traits, mental health, alexithymia, and QOL. We estimated regression models based on pre-registered analysis, and we conducted exploratory network analyses. RESULTS Alexithymic traits did not predict QOL when controlling for covariates. Depression significantly predicted Physical, Psychological, and Social QOL. When examining the impact of just alexithymic traits and autistic traits, both were significantly associated with Physical and Psychological QOL. For participants with a low depression score, the correlation between alexithymia and QOL was strong; suggesting that depression occludes the association between alexithymia and QOL. Network analyses suggested that depression and anxiety exert direct effects on Physical and Psychological QOL, whereas alexithymia scores may influence Physical QOL via autistic traits. CONCLUSION In sum, depression is a pervasive negative predictor of multiple QOL domains. The role of alexithymia in predicting QOL dimensionally and categorically was not ruled out, given our exploratory analyses, we suggest that interventions which target alexithymia may positively impact QOL for those who score low on depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Mason
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King’s College London, UK
| | - Francesca Happé
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King’s College London, UK
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Zakhour M, Haddad C, Sacre H, Fares K, Akel M, Obeid S, Salameh P, Hallit S. Suicidal ideation among Lebanese adults: scale validation and correlates. BMC Psychiatry 2021; 21:100. [PMID: 33593321 PMCID: PMC7888108 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-021-03111-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to the World Health Organization (WHO) figures in 2015, the number of people attempting suicide worldwide per year exceeds 800,000 individuals. The majority of completed suicides (78%) occur in low- and middle-income countries. Therefore, this study aimed to validate the suicidal ideation subscale of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale and evaluate risk factors (emotional intelligence, alexithymia, anxiety, depression, and stress) related to suicidal ideation among the Lebanese adult population. METHODS A structured cross-sectional survey was carried out between November 2017 and March 2018, enrolling a proportionate random sample of 789 community-dwelling participants from all the Lebanese regions. A correlation analysis between the C-SSRS and anxiety and depression assessed the convergent validity of the scale. An exploratory and a confirmatory factor analysis validated its construct. Cronbach's alpha was used to assess internal consistency reliability. Multiple linear regression was performed using the suicidal ideation score as the dependent variable. All variables were included in the multivariable model. RESULTS The C-SSRS scale converged over a solution of one factor; the proportion of explained variance was 0.797. The Cronbach's alpha value was good (0.797). The convergent validity was tested with depression and anxiety scales. The results showed a moderate positive correlation between the suicide ideation score and depression (rho = 0.507, p < 0.001) and anxiety (rho = 0.402, p < 0.001). The multivariable analysis showed that higher depression (Unstandardized Beta, B = 0.035, p < 0.001), higher anxiety (B = 0.015, p = 0.008), and higher alcohol dependence (B = 0.024, p < 0.001) were significantly linked to higher suicidal ideation score. However, higher self-esteem (B = -0.041, p = 0.006) was significantly associated with lower suicidal ideation scores. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the Arabic version of the C-SSRS subscale could serve as an appropriate assessment tool for suicidal ideation. This paper also gave insights into factors correlated with higher suicidal ideation scores, such as depression, anxiety, and alcohol dependence. Further studies are necessary to confirm our findings and implement suicide prevention programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha Zakhour
- grid.411324.10000 0001 2324 3572Faculty of Science, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon
| | - Chadia Haddad
- grid.9966.00000 0001 2165 4861INSERM, University Limoges, CH Esquirol, IRD, U1094 Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, GEIST, Limoges, France
| | - Hala Sacre
- INSPECT-LB: National Institute of Public Health, Clinical Epidemiology and Toxicology, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Kassandra Fares
- grid.444434.70000 0001 2106 3658Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon
| | - Marwan Akel
- INSPECT-LB: National Institute of Public Health, Clinical Epidemiology and Toxicology, Beirut, Lebanon ,grid.444421.30000 0004 0417 6142School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sahar Obeid
- INSPECT-LB: National Institute of Public Health, Clinical Epidemiology and Toxicology, Beirut, Lebanon. .,Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon. .,Research and Psychology Departments, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jall-Eddib, Lebanon.
| | - Pascale Salameh
- INSPECT-LB: National Institute of Public Health, Clinical Epidemiology and Toxicology, Beirut, Lebanon ,grid.411324.10000 0001 2324 3572Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon ,grid.413056.50000 0004 0383 4764Faculty of Medicine, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Souheil Hallit
- INSPECT-LB: National Institute of Public Health, Clinical Epidemiology and Toxicology, Beirut, Lebanon. .,Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon.
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12
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Emotion, Social Relationships, and Physical Health: Concepts, Methods, and Evidence for an Integrative Perspective. Psychosom Med 2019; 81:681-693. [PMID: 31415000 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000000739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Emotional characteristics and processes are robust predictors of the development and course of major medical illnesses and premature mortality, as are a variety of indicators of the presence and quality of personal relationships. Despite clear evidence of close interconnection between these two domains of risk and protection, affective characteristics and relationships have largely been studied separately as influences on health. After a recent conference on integrative perspectives on emotions, relationships and health co-sponsored by the American Psychosomatic Society and the Society for Affective Science, the present review builds on prior calls for integration, related theory, and current research to outline what is known about the interconnection of these domains as it specifically relates to their overlapping influences on health. Areas of interest include the following: their interconnected roles over the course of development, which may inform current efforts to understand the influence of early life events on adult health; the parallel positive and negative factors in both domains that could have distinct influences on health; the role of emotion regulation in relationship contexts; and measurement, design, and analysis approaches to capture the dyadic and dynamic aspects of these interconnected influences on health. We conclude with a discussion of an emerging research agenda that includes the following: common biological foundations of affective and relationship processes, the cultural embeddedness of affective and relationship processes, the potential contribution of affective-relational processes to health disparities, and implications for intervention research.
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13
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Hemming L, Taylor P, Haddock G, Shaw J, Pratt D. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between alexithymia and suicide ideation and behaviour. J Affect Disord 2019; 254:34-48. [PMID: 31103905 PMCID: PMC6599888 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alexithymia reflects a difficulty with identifying and expressing emotions. This experience has been proposed as having an association with suicide ideation and behaviour. This review aimed to synthesise the evidence to establish the bivariate and multivariate relationships between alexithymia, and its subcomponents, with suicide ideation and behaviour. METHODS Search terms related to alexithymia and suicide ideation and behaviour were searched across nine prominent databases in May 2018. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported original empirical quantitative findings from adult samples, used a validated measure of alexithymia, and any measure of suicide ideation or behaviour. RESULTS Thirty-four studies were eligible for inclusion in this review. The review found a large effect size for the relationship between alexithymia and suicide ideation (r = 0.54, 95% CI= 0.40-0.65) and a small effect size for the relationship between alexithymia and suicide behaviour (r = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.16-0.34). LIMITATIONS A high level of heterogeneity was found in the meta-analysis meaning that results should be interpreted with caution. CONCLUSION A positive association was found between alexithymia and suicide ideation and, to a lesser extent, behaviour across a range of clinical and general population samples. This review has potentially important clinical implications, and promotes the need for suicide prevention to focus on emotion regulation skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Hemming
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, UK; Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK.
| | - Peter Taylor
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, UK; Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Gillian Haddock
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, UK; Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK; Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Jennifer Shaw
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, UK; Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK; Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Daniel Pratt
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, UK; Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK; Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
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Van Beveren ML, Goossens L, Volkaert B, Grassmann C, Wante L, Vandeweghe L, Verbeken S, Braet C. How do I feel right now? Emotional awareness, emotion regulation, and depressive symptoms in youth. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2019; 28:389-398. [PMID: 30069654 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-018-1203-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Decreased emotional awareness contributes to the risk of internalizing disorders, such as depression. Although emotional awareness may be especially important during adolescence, a developmental period in which emotional arousal is high and the risk of depression rises dramatically, little research has examined the mechanisms linking emotional awareness to depression. Starting from affect regulation models, the current study proposes emotion regulation (ER) as a key underlying mechanism in the emotional awareness-depression relationship. The current study investigated whether maladaptive and adaptive ER strategies mediate the relationship between emotional awareness and depressive symptoms among youth using a cross-sectional design. Participants were 220 youth (65% girls; [Formula: see text] = 11.87, SD = 1.94) who filled out a set of questionnaires assessing emotional awareness, ER strategies, and depressive symptoms. Results revealed no direct relationship between emotional awareness and depressive symptoms. However, emotional awareness yielded a significant mediation effect through total adaptive ER strategies on higher depressive symptoms. No evidence was found for the mediating role of maladaptive ER strategies in this relationship. The current study provides further support for affect regulation models positing that emotional awareness may be a basic skill that is required for learning adaptive ER skills, and thus call for greater attention to adaptive ER strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Lotte Van Beveren
- Department of Developmental, Personality, and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Lien Goossens
- Department of Developmental, Personality, and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Brenda Volkaert
- Department of Developmental, Personality, and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Carolin Grassmann
- School of Psychology, University of Glasgow, 58 Hillhead Street, Glasgow, G12 8QB, Scotland, UK
| | - Laura Wante
- Department of Developmental, Personality, and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laura Vandeweghe
- Department of Developmental, Personality, and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sandra Verbeken
- Department of Developmental, Personality, and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Caroline Braet
- Department of Developmental, Personality, and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
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15
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Seeing mixed emotions: Alexithymia, emotion perception bias, and quality in dyadic interactions. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2018.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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16
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Panayiotou G, Leonidou C, Constantinou E, Michaelides MP. Self-Awareness in alexithymia and associations with social anxiety. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-018-9855-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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17
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D’Abbadie de Nodrest L, Sudres JL, Schmitt L, Yrondi A. Jouer son blues quand la dépression résiste… : évaluation de l’efficacité d’un programme de musicothérapie pour des personnes présentant un trouble dépressif et/ou bipolaire résistants. ANNALES MEDICO-PSYCHOLOGIQUES 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.amp.2016.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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18
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Cecchetto C, Rumiati RI, Aiello M. Alexithymia and emotional reactions to odors. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14097. [PMID: 29074970 PMCID: PMC5658372 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14404-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Alexithymia is a psychological construct characterized by deficits in processing emotional stimuli. However, little is known about the processing of odours in alexithymia, even though there is extensive proof that emotion and olfaction are closely linked. The present study is aimed at investigating how alexithymic individuals process emotions conveyed by odors. Emotional responses to unpleasant, neutral odors and clean air were collected through self-report ratings and psychophysiological measures in a sample of 62 healthy participants with high (HA), medium (MA) and low (LA) levels of alexithymia. Moreover, participants performed tests on odors identification and threshold and completed questionnaires assessing olfactory imagery and awareness. Two main results have been found: first, HA and MA groups showed altered physiological responses to odors, compared to LA, while no differences among the groups were observed in odor ratings; and second, affective and cognitive alexithymia components were differently associated with the performance on olfactory tests, skin conductance response to odors, reaction times in the rating task, and scores on olfactory questionnaires. We conclude that alexithymia is characterized by altered physiological reactions to olfactory stimuli; moreover, we stress the importance of evaluating the different alexithymia components since they affect emotional stimuli processing in different ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Cecchetto
- SISSA - International School for Advanced Studies, Neuroscience Area, Via Bonomea, 265, 34136, Trieste, Italy.
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
- BioTechMed, Graz, Austria.
| | - Raffaella Ida Rumiati
- SISSA - International School for Advanced Studies, Neuroscience Area, Via Bonomea, 265, 34136, Trieste, Italy
- ANVUR - Agenzia Nazionale della Valutazione del Sistema Universitario e della Ricerca, Via Ippolito Nievo, 35 - 00153, Roma, Italy
| | - Marilena Aiello
- SISSA - International School for Advanced Studies, Neuroscience Area, Via Bonomea, 265, 34136, Trieste, Italy
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19
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Kajanoja J, Scheinin NM, Karlsson L, Karlsson H, Karukivi M. Illuminating the clinical significance of alexithymia subtypes: A cluster analysis of alexithymic traits and psychiatric symptoms. J Psychosom Res 2017; 97:111-117. [PMID: 28606490 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2017.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2017] [Revised: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alexithymia is a personality construct involving difficulties identifying and verbalizing feelings, and an externally oriented thinking style. There is preliminary evidence for alexithymia subtypes that may carry different risk profiles for psychiatric illness. The aim of this study was to gain support for the existence of alexithymia subtypes and further characterize their clinical relevance. METHODS To identify possible subtypes, a cluster analysis was conducted for individuals with high alexithymic traits (N=113). Current depressive and anxiety symptoms, self-reported psychiatric medical history, and self-reported early life adversity were compared between subtypes. The cluster analysis was replicated with the low (N=2471) and moderate (N=290) alexithymia groups. RESULTS We identified two alexithymia subtypes. Compared to type A, type B alexithymia was associated with higher levels of difficulties in identifying feelings, and was more strongly associated with current depressive (Cohen's d=0.77, p<0.001) and anxiety symptoms (Cohen's d=0.82, p<0.001), and self-reported early life adversity (Cohen's d 0.42, p=0.048). Compared to type A, type B alexithymia was also associated with a higher prevalence of self-reported diagnosis of major depressive- (30.2% vs. 8.3%) and anxiety disorder (18.9% vs. 3.3%). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study support the hypothesis of alexithymia subtypes, and add support to the growing evidence showing that alexithymia is likely a heterogeneous and dimensional phenomenon. The subtype (type B) with most pronounced difficulties in identifying feelings may be associated with a higher risk for psychiatric illness compared to type A alexithymia, and may exhibit a more severe history of early life adversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kajanoja
- University of Turku, FinnBrain birth cohort study, Finland.
| | - N M Scheinin
- University of Turku, FinnBrain birth cohort study, Finland
| | - L Karlsson
- University of Turku, FinnBrain birth cohort study, Finland
| | - H Karlsson
- University of Turku, FinnBrain birth cohort study, Finland
| | - M Karukivi
- University of Turku, FinnBrain birth cohort study, Finland
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20
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Duarte J, Pinto-Gouveia J. Correlates of psychological inflexibility mediate the relation between alexithymic traits and positive emotions. JOURNAL OF CONTEXTUAL BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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21
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Georgiou E, Mai S, Pollatos O. Describe Your Feelings: Body Illusion Related to Alexithymia in Adolescence. Front Psychol 2016; 7:1690. [PMID: 27840618 PMCID: PMC5083713 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Having access to bodily signals is known to be crucial for differentiating the self from others and coping with negative feelings. The interplay between bodily and emotional processes develops in adolescence, where vulnerability is high, as negative affect states often occur, that could hamper the integration of bodily input into the self. Aim of the present study in healthy adolescents was to examine, whether a disturbed emotional awareness, described by the alexithymic construct, could trigger a higher malleability in the sense of body-ownership. Methods: Fifty-four healthy adolescents aged between 12 to 17 years participated in this study. The Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Screening psychischer Störungen im Jugendalter were used to assess emotional distress and conduct problems. Alexithymia was assessed by the TAS-20. The rubber hand illusion was implemented for examining the malleability of body-ownership. Results: A higher body illusion was found to be connected with “difficulties in describing feelings”. Moreover, a higher degree of self-reported conduct and emotional problems as assessed by the SDQ were associated with a more pronounced body illusion. Further findings revealed an association between emotional distress and the emotional alexithymia subscales “difficulties in identifying feelings” and “difficulties in describing feelings”. Conclusion: Our findings emphasize a close link between the sense of body-ownership and emotional awareness as assessed by emotional facets of the alexithymic trait. We suggest that in adolescents with higher malleability of body-ownership, a vicious circle might occur where affect and integration of different proprioceptive signals regarding the body become more entangled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleana Georgiou
- Clinical and Health Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University Ulm, Germany
| | - Sandra Mai
- Clinical and Health Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University Ulm, Germany
| | - Olga Pollatos
- Clinical and Health Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University Ulm, Germany
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22
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Taylor GJ, Bagby RM, Parker JD. What’s in the name ‘alexithymia’? A commentary on “Affective agnosia: Expansion of the alexithymia construct and a new opportunity to integrate and extend Freud’s legacy.”. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 68:1006-1020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Revised: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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23
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Gender typical patterns and the link between alexithymia, dyadic coping and psychological symptoms. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2016.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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24
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Abstract
Poststroke depression (PSD) is the most frequent neuropsychiatric consequence of stroke, and alexithymia is a construct characterized by the inability to identify and describe emotions. Our study aimed to determine whether alexithymia is a risk factor for the development of PSD. Patients with ischemic stroke admitted to a general teaching hospital were enrolled in this 6-month study. The patients were evaluated with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHHS), and Mini-Mental Status Examination at baseline and then followed up each month for detection of PSD using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies of Depression scale. In all, 285 patients with ischemic stroke were enrolled, and 93.3% completed the 6-month study. The overall incidence of PSD within 6 months was 16.5%. In multivariate regression analyses, the incidence of PSD was significantly associated with higher BAI, higher NIHSS, and higher TAS-20 scores. In conclusion, our study highlights the importance of alexithymic symptoms as a risk factor for PSD.
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25
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Barbasio C, Vagelli R, Marengo D, Querci F, Settanni M, Tani C, Mosca M, Granieri A. Illness perception in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: The roles of alexithymia and depression. Compr Psychiatry 2015; 63:88-95. [PMID: 26555496 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2015.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Revised: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 09/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alexithymia and depressive mood have been described as important dimensions of several medical diseases. Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic condition characterized by unpredictable clinical manifestations. The relationships between alexithymia, depression, and illness perception were examined in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. The interrelationships between psychological factors, such as alexithymia and depressive mood, were explored in systemic lupus erythematosus patients, and associations between these factors and illness perception in SLE were examined. We hypothesized that alexithymia and negative perceptions of illness would be associated in SLE patients, and depression would mediate this relationship. METHODS Subjects were 100 consecutive systemic lupus erythematosus patients attending the outpatient clinic at the University of Pisa rheumatology unit. They completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Revised Illness Perceptions Questionnaire. Clinical variables were measured, disease activity was evaluated using the European Consensus Lupus Activity Measure, and damage was assessed using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborative Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index. RESULTS There were no associations between clinical variables, alexithymia, and depression. The results highlight the existence of significant links between alexithymia and illness perception for systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Moreover, our data suggest that some of these links are mediated by depression, which is the direct predictor of different aspects of perceived health. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that studying the role of psychological factors, such as alexithymia and depression, may contribute to a more comprehensive perspective of systemic lupus erythematosus, including their impact on patients' beliefs about treatment effectiveness and emotional adaptation to chronic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roberta Vagelli
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Internal medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Davide Marengo
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Italy; Department of social sciences and humanities, University of Aosta Valley, Italy.
| | - Francesca Querci
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Internal medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Tani
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Internal medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Marta Mosca
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Internal medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
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Vater A, Schröder–Abé M. Explaining the Link between Personality and Relationship Satisfaction: Emotion Regulation and Interpersonal Behaviour in Conflict Discussions. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/per.1993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Past research has shown that personality traits predict relationship quality in romantic couples. However, very little research has investigated psychological processes that underlie the link between personality and relationship satisfaction. The present study focused on the mediating role of spontaneous emotion regulation and positive interpersonal behaviour. This study applied a dyadic design with 137 couples who completed self–report questionnaires assessing Big Five personality traits at baseline. Subsequently, couples were asked to discuss a current relationship conflict during a laboratory session. Emotion regulation and relationship satisfaction were assessed via self–report directly after the discussion. Relationship satisfaction was additionally assessed at 6–month follow–up. Interpersonal behaviour during the conflict discussion was videotaped and coded by independent raters. As expected, emotion regulation (expressive suppression, perspective taking and aggressive externalisation), positive interpersonal behaviour and state relationship satisfaction during the conflict discussion mediated the relation between personality and long–term relationship satisfaction. In sum, this study provides evidence that personality is linked to relationship satisfaction through intrapersonal and interpersonal processes during social interactions. Copyright © 2015 European Association of Personality Psychology
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Vater
- Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Germany
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27
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Sadikaj G, Moskowitz DS, Zuroff DC. Felt Security in Daily Interactions as a Mediator of the Effect of Attachment on Relationship Satisfaction†Some of the Results Reported in this Article Were Previously Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Interpersonal Theory and Research in Montreal, Canada (May 2012). EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/per.1988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
This study examined how felt security in interpersonal situations with one's romantic partner mediated the effect of global (dispositional) attachment on relationship satisfaction. Felt security was measured using an event–contingent recording (ECR) methodology with a sample of 93 cohabiting couples who reported their social interactions with each other during a 20–day period. Global attachment was measured at the beginning of the ECR procedure. Relationship satisfaction was measured at the end of the ECR procedure (T1) and approximately 7 months after the ECR procedure (T2). Results confirmed the established links between attachment and relationship satisfaction such that higher attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety were associated with decline in satisfaction over time. Results also indicated that attachment avoidance but not attachment anxiety was negatively related to felt security, both within–partner and across–partners. As expected, lower felt security exerted a negative effect on relationship satisfaction at T1 and T2, and partly mediated the effect of attachment avoidance on relationship satisfaction at T1 and T2, both within–partner and across–partners. Partners’ gender emerged as a moderator of these results. Findings suggest higher attachment avoidance leads to less felt security in daily social interactions, which leads to less satisfaction with the romantic relationship. Copyright © 2015 European Association of Personality Psychology
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Affiliation(s)
| | - D. S. Moskowitz
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - David C. Zuroff
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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28
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Panayiotou G, Leonidou C, Constantinou E, Hart J, Rinehart KL, Sy JT, Björgvinsson T. Do alexithymic individuals avoid their feelings? Experiential avoidance mediates the association between alexithymia, psychosomatic, and depressive symptoms in a community and a clinical sample. Compr Psychiatry 2015; 56:206-16. [PMID: 25263517 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2014.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Revised: 08/20/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alexithymia is defined as the trait associated with difficulty in identifying and describing feelings as well as poor fantasy and imagery. While alexithymia is related to psychopathology in general, it has been associated with increased reporting of medically unexplained symptoms and depression in particular. This study attempts to assess the extent to which alexithymia represents a learned, avoidant coping strategy against unwanted emotions. In this way the study aims to identify a potential mechanism that may elucidate the relationship between alexithymia and psychological symptoms. METHOD Alexithymia is examined in two different samples, students from two universities in Cyprus and intensive outpatients/residents in an American anxiety disorder treatment program. We examine whether alexithymia predicts psychosomatic and depressive symptoms respectively through the mediating role of experiential avoidance, a coping mechanism believed to be reinforced because of the immediate relief it provides. RESULTS Experiential avoidance was found to correlate strongly with alexithymia, especially its difficulty in identifying feelings factor, while the mediation hypothesis was supported in all models tested. Furthermore, results from the clinical sample suggest that clinical improvement in depression was associated with a decrease in alexithymia, especially difficulty in identifying feelings, mediated by decreased experiential avoidance. CONCLUSIONS Alexithymia, and more specifically its difficulty in identifying feelings aspect, may be a learned behavior used to avoid unwanted emotions. This avoidant behavior may form the link between alexithymia and psychopathology. Implications for alexithymia theory and treatment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - John Hart
- Houston OCD Program, Houston, TX, USA; The Menninger Clinic Houston, TX, USA
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29
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Rowsell HC, Ciarrochi J, Heaven PCL, Deane FP. The role of emotion identification skill in the formation of male and female friendships: a longitudinal study. J Adolesc 2013; 37:103-11. [PMID: 24439616 DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2013.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2013] [Revised: 10/27/2013] [Accepted: 11/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The present study explored the relationship between emotion identification skill (EIS) and friendships in adolescence. Students from five Australian high schools completed questionnaires annually from Grade 8 to Grade 12 including subjective measures of EIS and a peer-based objective measure of social functioning (e.g., friendship nominations). The total sample of participants was 795 (406 males; 389 females) with 468 (225 males; 243 females) completing questionnaires in Grade 12. EIS in early adolescence was predictive of friendships for females in late adolescence. Specifically, girls starting out with low EIS in Grade 8 tended to have fewer female friendships and more male friendships in Grade 12. There were no effects for males. Lower initial EIS was associated with significant improvements in awareness over time, but these improvements had no effect on friendships in Grade 12. The EIS that girls enter high school with may influence their friendship composition into late adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Claire Rowsell
- School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
| | - Joseph Ciarrochi
- School of Social Sciences and Psychology, University of Western Sydney, Penrith 2751, Australia
| | - Patrick C L Heaven
- Australian Catholic University, Level 4, 21 Berry Street, North Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia
| | - Frank P Deane
- School of Psychology, Illawarra Institute for Mental Health, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
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