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Zamani S, Hasani J, Hatami M, Tadros E. Emotion Dysregulation and Alexithymia within Marital Burnout through an Emotion-Focused Therapy Lens. JOURNAL OF COUPLE & RELATIONSHIP THERAPY 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/15332691.2023.2165206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Solaleh Zamani
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Kharazmi University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jafar Hasani
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Kharazmi University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hatami
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Kharazmi University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Eman Tadros
- IMFT, Governors State University, University Park, Illinois, USA
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Tambelli R, Cimino S, Marzilli E, Ballarotto G, Cerniglia L. Late Adolescents' Attachment to Parents and Peers and Psychological Distress Resulting from COVID-19. A Study on the Mediation Role of Alexithymia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:10649. [PMID: 34682393 PMCID: PMC8535909 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182010649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The scientific literature has shown the key role played by attachment to parents and peers and difficulties in recognizing, processing, and regulating emotions (i.e., alexithymia) in the (mal-)adaptive psychological response to the COVID-19 pandemic during late adolescence. No study has yet explored the complex interplay between these variables. We recruited a sample of 454 late adolescents (Mage = 22.79, SD = 2.27) and assessed attachment to parents and peers, alexithymia, and peritraumatic distress due to COVID-19 through self-report instruments. Attachment to fathers and peers, but not to mothers, and alexithymia significantly predicted levels of peritraumatic distress. Alexithymia fully and partially mediated the effect of, respectively, attachment to mothers and attachment to peers on peritraumatic distress due to COVID-19. These findings suggested that intervention programs focused on the promotion of peer social relationships, supportive parent-adolescent relationships, and the ability to recognize and discriminate one's own and others' emotions are needed in helping late adolescents to face the current health emergency and preventing short- and long-term psychopathological consequences related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Tambelli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00186 Rome, Italy; (R.T.); (E.M.); (G.B.)
| | - Silvia Cimino
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00186 Rome, Italy; (R.T.); (E.M.); (G.B.)
| | - Eleonora Marzilli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00186 Rome, Italy; (R.T.); (E.M.); (G.B.)
| | - Giulia Ballarotto
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00186 Rome, Italy; (R.T.); (E.M.); (G.B.)
| | - Luca Cerniglia
- Faculty of Psychology, International Telematic University Uninettuno, 00186 Rome, Italy;
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Troisi A, Nanni RC, Giunta A, Manfreda V, Del Duca E, Criscuolo S, Bianchi L, Esposito M. Cutaneous body image in psoriasis: The role of attachment style and alexithymia. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-02032-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe aim of this study was to estimate the contribution of adult attachment style and alexithymia to cutaneous body image in patients with psoriasis while controlling for the confounding effects of disease severity and depressive symptoms. Participants were 107 consecutive patients (60% women) with a diagnosis of plaque-type psoriasis. Cutaneous body dissatisfaction was measured with the Cutaneous Body Image Scale (CBIS) and disease severity with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Depressive symptoms, attachment style and alexithymia were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ) and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), respectively. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that, independently from the severity of skin disease and depressive symptoms, patients with an insecure-avoidant attachment style and higher levels of alexithymia reported greater cutaneous body dissatisfaction. Because of the cross-sectional design, the causal relationship between avoidant attachment, alexithymia and cutaneous body image cannot be determined. There was no control group. Clinical assessment of patients with psoriasis should include attachment style and alexithymia among the psychological variables related to cutaneous body dissatisfaction.
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Scigala DK, Fabris MA, Badenes-Ribera L, Zdankiewicz-Scigala E, Hintertan I, Longobardi C. Alexithymia and Adult Attachment: Investigating the Mediating Role of Fear of Intimacy and Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies. Psychol Rep 2021; 125:1896-1914. [PMID: 33878970 DOI: 10.1177/00332941211010252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Literature suggests an association between alexithymia and insecure adult attachment, but the mediation factors involved in this relationship are under-investigated. The study was carried out to test the possible mediation roles of the fear of intimacy and negative mood regulation expectancies in explaining this relationship. A convenience sample of 258 Polish adults (mean age: 30; 45% male), completed self-reporting measures related to adult attachment (RAAS), alexithymia (TAS-20), fear of intimacy (FIS) and negative mood regulation expectancies (NMRE). The results showed that alexithymia directly and indirectly predicts insecure adult attachment. Alexithymia positively predicts the fear of intimacy, which, in turn, positively predicts insecure adult attachment. Finally, alexithymia negatively predicts NMRE which, in turn, predict insecure adult attachment. It emerges from our data that the fear of intimacy and NMRE may be mediating factors in the relationship between alexithymia and adult attachment. Limitations, future directions of research and guidance for intervention are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laura Badenes-Ribera
- Department of Methodology of the Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Iwona Hintertan
- Faculty of Psychology, 86927SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Poland
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Alexithymia and Self Differentiation: The Role of Fear of Intimacy and Insecure Adult Attachment. CONTEMPORARY FAMILY THERAPY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10591-021-09567-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIt is suggested in literature that there is a link between Alexithymia and Self-Differentiation; however, little is known about possible mediation factors. The goal of this work is to test in a non-clinical population of adults the mediation role of Fear of Intimacy and Adult Attachment in the relationship between Alexithymia and Self-Differentiation. A sample of 258 participants self identified as gay or lesbian, aged 20–50 years (M: 30.29; SD: 7.27), 45% of whom were males, completed self-reported measures of Alexithymia (TAS-20), Self-Differentiation (SDI), Fear of Intimacy (FIS); and Insecure Adult Attachment (RAAS). Our results show that Alexithymia predicts Self-Differentiation both directly and indirectly, through Fear of Intimacy and Insecure adult attachment. In addition, Fear of Intimacy directly influences Self-Differentiation, and also mediates the relationship between Alexithymia and Adult Attachment which, in turn, negatively predicts Self-Differentiation. In conclusion, Alexithymia predicts Self-Differentiation while Fear of Intimacy and adult attachment may act as mediators of the report. Limitations of the study and directions of future research are described.
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Øie MG, Aarnes IE, Eilertsen LH, Söderström K, Ystrom E, Håkansson U. High levels of the openness trait are associated with better parental reflective functioning in mothers with substance use disorders. Addict Behav Rep 2020; 12:100318. [PMID: 33364326 PMCID: PMC7752705 DOI: 10.1016/j.abrep.2020.100318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Mothers with high levels of Openness had better parental reflective functioning. Mothers with low Openness need training in interpreting mental states in their children. It is important to assess the mothers personality before selecting form of treatment.
Aims Mothers with substance use disorders (SUD) often show impairments in parental reflective functioning (PRF), which may have adverse effects on their capacity for sensitive caregiving. Parenting personality is also associated with caregiving. However, no studies have investigated how these individual factors may contribute to variance in PRF in mothers with SUD. In this study PRF and personality were assessed in 43 mothers with SUD. Methods PRF was assessed by the Parent Development Interview. Personality traits were assessed by the Revised Neuroticism-Extraversion-Openness Personality Inventory. Results The results indicate that higher levels of the Openness trait are associated with better PRF. Conclusion Mothers low in Openness may need more specific and situational training in interpreting mental states in their children. Highly open mothers with SUD will likely need more help distinguishing the child’s mental states from their own, and might need help to maintain mutuality and regulating the intensity of their responses to the child’s behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merete Glenne Øie
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Research, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Eivind Ystrom
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ulrika Håkansson
- Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Lillehammer, Norway
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Mavrandrea P, Giovazolias T. The effect of personality on depressive symptoms: The mediating effect of adult attachment. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-020-01207-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Khosravi M. The mediating role of alexithymia in the association between attachment styles and borderline personality symptomatology. Health Psychol Res 2020; 8:8894. [PMID: 33210014 PMCID: PMC7649641 DOI: 10.4081/hpr.2020.8894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Attachment insecurity and alexithymia are assumed as the probable causes of emotional dysregulation in patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). The present study was designed and conducted to examine the mediating role of alexithymia in the relationship between attachment styles and Borderline Personality Symptomatology (BPS). In this crosssectional study, 153 patients with BPD were selected using stratified random sampling among outpatients referring to the psychiatric clinics in three major cities of Iran. Also, they were evaluated through the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS- 20), Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ), and BPD Severity Index (BPDSI). On-way ANOVA and then Scheffé post-hoc analysis revealed that the scores of BPS and TAS-20, together with the scores of preoccupied, fearful, and dismissing styles, were higher in the alexithymia group, whereas the scores of secure style were greater in the non-alexithymia group. Furthermore, the results of hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that alexithymia mediated the association between secure, preoccupied, and fearful styles and BPS based on the model proposed by Baron and Kenny. Hence, modifying the alexithymia need to be a goal of psychotherapy. In this regard, changing the effects of the problematic attachment styles via increasing emotional awareness may be effective in modifying alexithymia and BPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Khosravi
- Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
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Early-life adversities and adult attachment in depression and alexithymia. Dev Psychopathol 2020; 33:1428-1436. [PMID: 32928333 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579420000607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Alexithymia is a personality construct characterized by difficulties in identifying and verbalizing feelings, a restricted imagination, and an externally oriented thinking style. As alexithymia shows marked overlap with depression, its independent nature as a personality construct is still being debated. The etiology of alexithymia is unknown, although childhood emotional neglect and attachment formation are thought to play important roles. In the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, experiences of early-life adversities (EA) and childhood maltreatment (CM) were studied in a sample of 2,604 men and women. The overlap and differences between depression and alexithymia were investigated by comparing their associations with EA types and adult attachment style. Alexithymia was specifically associated with childhood emotional neglect (odds ratio (OR) 3.8, p < .001), whereas depression was related to several types of EA. In depression co-occurring with alexithymia, there was a higher prevalence of emotional neglect (81.3% vs. 54.4%, p < .001), attachment anxiety (t = 2.38, p = .018), and attachment avoidance (t = 4.03, p < .001). Early-life adversities were markedly different in the alexithymia group compared to those suffering from depression, or healthy controls. Depression with concurrent alexithymia may represent a distinct subtype, specifically associated with childhood experiences of emotional neglect, and increased attachment insecurity compared to non-alexithymic depression.
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Lyvers M, Mayer K, Needham K, Thorberg FA. Parental bonding, adult attachment, and theory of mind: A developmental model of alexithymia and alcohol‐related risk. J Clin Psychol 2019; 75:1288-1304. [DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Lyvers
- School of PsychologyBond UniversityGold Coast Queensland Australia
| | - Kaitlin Mayer
- School of PsychologyBond UniversityGold Coast Queensland Australia
| | - Katarina Needham
- School of PsychologyBond UniversityGold Coast Queensland Australia
| | - Fred Arne Thorberg
- National Center for Dual DiagnosisInnlandet Hospital Trust Brumunddal Norway
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11
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The five factor model of personality and alexithymia: A meta-analysis. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN PERSONALITY 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jrp.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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12
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Carrozzino D, Porcelli P. Alexithymia in Gastroenterology and Hepatology: A Systematic Review. Front Psychol 2018; 9:470. [PMID: 29681874 PMCID: PMC5897673 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Alexithymia is a multifaceted personality construct that represents a deficit in the cognitive processing of emotions and is currently understood to be related to a variety of medical and psychiatric conditions. The present review aims to investigate the relationship of alexithymia with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders as functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID, as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD)] and liver diseases as chronic hepatitis C (CHC), cirrhosis, and liver transplantation. Methods: The articles were selected from the main electronic databases (PsycInfo, Medline, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, and ScienceDirect) using multiple combinations of relevant search terms (defined GI and liver diseases, articles in English, use of the Toronto scales [TAS] for alexithymia). The TAS was selected as inclusion criterion because it is the most widely used measure, thus allowing comparisons across studies. Results: Forty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 38 focused on GI disorders (27 on FGID and 11 on IBD) and 10 on liver diseases. Most studies (n = 30, 62%) were cross-sectional. The prevalence of alexithymia was higher in FGID (two third or more) than IBD and liver diseases (from one third to 50% of patients, consistent with other chronic non-GI diseases) than general population (10-15%). In functional disorders, alexithymia may be viewed as a primary driver for higher visceral perception, symptom reporting, health care use, symptom persistence, and negative treatment outcomes. Also, it has been found associated with psychological distress and specific GI-related forms of anxiety in predicting symptom severity as well as post-treatment outcomes and is associated with several psychological factors increasing the burden of disease and impairing levels of quality of life. A number of critical issues (small sample sizes, patients referred to secondary and tertiary care centers, cross-sectional study design, use of one single scale for alexithymia) constitutes a limitation to the generalization of findings. Conclusions: Alexithymia showed to play different roles in gastroenterology according to the clinical characteristics and the psychological burden of the various disorders, with main relevance in increasing subjective symptom perception and affecting negatively post-treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Carrozzino
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University “G.d'Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatric Centre North Zealand, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark
| | - Piero Porcelli
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University “G.d'Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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Tapancı Z, Yıldırım A, Boysan M. Neurological soft signs, dissociation and alexithymia in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and healthy subjects. Psychiatry Res 2018; 260:90-97. [PMID: 29175504 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.11.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
A body of evidence has supported that patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have increased rates of various neurological soft signs (NSS) compared to controls. Various lines of research has documented robust relationships between OCD and dissociative symptomatology. The study aimed to examine the associations between obsessive-compulsive symptoms, dissociative experiences alexithymia, and NSS. The study included thirty OCD patients and thirty healthy controls, matched for age, marital status, education, and income. The Neurological Evaluation Scale (NES), Padua Inventory-Revised (PI-R), Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) were administered. In comparison to healthy controls, patients with OCD had difficulty sequencing for complex motor acts and greater absorption/ imaginative involvement. Using latent class analysis, the study sample was classified into two homogenous subsets as mild NSS (n = 45) and severe NSS (n = 15). Majority of the participants who were grouped into severe NSS latent class were OCD patient (n = 14, 93.3%). Furthermore, those with severe NSS reported greater levels of alexithymia and more severe obsessive-compulsive symptoms, particularly precision. We concluded that relationships between OCD severity and NSS appear to be of crucial importance. Our data along with accumulated evidence suggest that OCD associated with pronounced NSS may represent a specific subtype of the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zafer Tapancı
- Department of Psychiatry, Yüzüncü Yıl University School of Medicine, Van, Turkey.
| | - Abdullah Yıldırım
- Department of Psychiatry, Yüzüncü Yıl University School of Medicine, Van, Turkey.
| | - Murat Boysan
- Department of Psychology, Yüzüncü Yıl University Faculty of Social Sciences, Van, Turkey.
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Tatar A, Saltukoğlu G, Alioğlu S, Çimen S, Güven H, Ay ÇE. Measuring Alexithymia via Trait Approach-I: A Alexithymia Scale Item Selection and Formation of Factor Structure. Noro Psikiyatr Ars 2017; 54:216-224. [PMID: 29033633 DOI: 10.5152/npa.2017.12769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION It is not clear in the literature whether available instruments are sufficient to measure alexithymia because of its theoretical structure. Moreover, it has been reported that several measuring instruments are needed to measure this construct, and all the instruments have different error sources. The old and the new forms of Toronto Alexithymia Scale are the only instruments available in Turkish. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop a new scale to measure alexithymia, selecting items and constructing the factor structure. METHODS A total of 1117 patients aged from 19 to 82 years (mean = 35.05 years) were included. A 100-item pool was prepared and applied to 628 women and 489 men. Data were analyzed using Explanatory Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, and Item Response Theory and 28 items were selected. The new form of 28 items was applied to 415 university students, including 271 women and 144 men aged from 18 to 30 (mean=21.44). RESULTS The results of Explanatory Factor Analysis revealed a five-factor construct of "Solving and Expressing Affective Experiences," "External Locused Cognitive Style," "Tendency to Somatize Affections," "Imaginary Life and Visualization," and "Acting Impulsively," along with a two-factor construct representing the "Affective" and "Cognitive" components. All the components of the construct showed good model fit and high internal consistency. The new form was tested in terms of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and concurrent validity using Toronto Alexithymia Scale as criteria and discriminative validity using Five-Factor Personality Inventory Short Form. CONCLUSION The results showed that the new scale met the basic psychometric requirements. Results have been discussed in line with related studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkun Tatar
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA
| | - Gaye Saltukoğlu
- Department of Psychology, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakıf University School of Literature, İstanbul, Turkey
| | | | | | - Hülya Güven
- Private Practice, Psychology, İstanbul, Turkey
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Role of Alexithymia, Anxiety, and Depression in Predicting Self-Efficacy in Academic Students. ScientificWorldJournal 2017; 2017:5798372. [PMID: 28154839 PMCID: PMC5244027 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5798372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Revised: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective. Little research is available on the predictive factors of self-efficacy in college students. The aim of the present study is to examine the role of alexithymia, anxiety, and depression in predicting self-efficacy in academic students. Design. In a cross-sectional study, a total of 133 students at Babol University of Medical Sciences (Medicine, Dentistry, and Paramedicine) participated in the study between 2014 and 2015. All participants completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), College Academic Self-Efficacy Scale (CASES), and 14 items on anxiety and depression derived from the 28 items of the General Health Questionnaire (28-GHQ). Results. Pearson correlation coefficients revealed negative significant relationships between alexithymia and the three subscales with student self-efficacy. There was no significant correlation between anxiety/depression symptoms and student self-efficacy. A backward multiple regression analysis revealed that alexithymia was a negative significant predictor of self-efficacy in academic students (B = −0.512, P < 0.001). The prevalence of alexithymia was 21.8% in students. Multiple backward logistic analysis regression revealed that number of passed semesters, gender, mother's education, father's education, and doctoral level did not accurately predict alexithymia in college students. Conclusion. As alexithymia is prevalent in college students and affects self-efficacy and academic functioning, we suggest it should be routinely evaluated by mental physicians at universities.
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Atari M, Yaghoubirad M. The Big Five personality dimensions and mental health: The mediating role of alexithymia. Asian J Psychiatr 2016; 24:59-64. [PMID: 27931909 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2016.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 06/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The role of personality constructs on mental health has attracted research attention in the last few decades. The Big Five personality traits have been introduced as parsimonious dimensions of non-pathological traits. The five-factor model of personality includes neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, and openness to experience. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between the Big Five dimensions and mental health considering the mediating role of alexithymia as an important emotional-processing construct. A total of 257 participants were recruited from non-clinical settings in the general population. All participants completed the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI), 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). Structural equation modeling was utilized to examine the hypothesized mediated model. Findings indicated that the Big Five personality dimensions could significantly predict scores of alexithymia. Moreover, alexithymia could predict mental health scores as measured by indices of depression, anxiety, social functioning, and somatic symptoms. The fit indices (GFI=0.94; CFI=0.91; TLI=0.90; RMSEA=0.071; CMIN/df=2.29) indicated that the model fits the data. Therefore, the relationship between the Big Five personality dimensions and mental health is mediated by alexithymia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Atari
- Department of Psychology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
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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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Bojner Horwitz E, Lennartsson AK, Theorell TPG, Ullén F. Engagement in dance is associated with emotional competence in interplay with others. Front Psychol 2015; 6:1096. [PMID: 26284016 PMCID: PMC4521297 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 07/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This study has explored the relation between dance achievement and alexithymia in a larger Swedish population sample (Swedish Twin Registry) with a study sample of 5431 individuals. Dance achievement (CAQ) was assessed in relation to Alexithymia (Toronto Alexithymia Scale, TAS-20) including the three subscales: Difficulty Identifying Feelings (DIF), Difficulty Describing Feelings (DDF), and Externally Oriented Thinking (EOT). The results show a significant negative association between the TAS subscale (EOT) and creative achievement in dance. A high EOT score corresponds to poor ability to communicate feelings to the environment. There was no consistent association between the other factors DIF and DDF and dance achievement. Dance activity and training seem to be involved in the body’s emotional interplay with others. Embodied cognition, emotional perception, and action are discussed as factors relevant to measuring the skill of a dancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Bojner Horwitz
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University Uppsala, Sweden ; Center for Social Sustainability, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Töres P G Theorell
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet Stockholm, Sweden ; Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Ullén
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet Stockholm, Sweden
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Sepahvand E, Zakiei A, Rafieian K, Roumani S, Komasi S, Reshadat S. The Intervening Role of Alexithymia in the Relationship between Attachment Styles and Test Anxiety among Gifted High School Students. Korean J Fam Med 2015. [PMID: 26217481 PMCID: PMC4515510 DOI: 10.4082/kjfm.2015.36.4.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Given the importance of test anxiety among gifted students, the present study was conducted to assess the intervening role of alexithymia in the relationship between test anxiety and attachment styles. Methods By means of simple random sampling, 300 participants were selected out of all the students at two high schools in Khorramabad, which are affiliated with the Iranian National Organization for Development of Exceptional Talents (SAMPAD). Test anxiety, alexithymia, and attachment style questionnaires were used for data collection. Pearson correlation and path analysis tests were used to analyze the data. Results The results showed a positive relationship between test anxiety and avoidant and anxious attachment styles. Alexithymia and test anxiety were also positively related. Moreover, the results indicated that 12% of changes in test anxiety were explained by avoidant and anxious attachment styles as well as alexithymia. The relationship between the avoidant attachment style and test anxiety was 0.06 through alexithymia. However, no significant relationship between anxious attachment and test anxiety through alexithymia was found. Conclusion The avoidant attachment style leads to test anxiety when the level of alexithymia increases in an individual.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esfandiar Sepahvand
- Department of Educational Psychology, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Ali Zakiei
- Social Development and Health Promotion Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Keivan Rafieian
- Department of Educational Psychology, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Saeid Roumani
- Department of Curriculum Development, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeid Komasi
- Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, Imam Ali Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Soheyla Reshadat
- Social Development and Health Promotion Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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