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Fredj SB, Ouertani M, Zammit N, Ghammam R, Maatoug J, Chouikha F, Harrabi I, Ghannem H. Co-occurrence of problematic facebook and video game use: prevalence and association with mental health disorders among adolescents. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:375. [PMID: 38956639 PMCID: PMC11218244 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01842-2] [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: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The rapid proliferation of technology and its impact on adolescents' lives have raised concerns about addictive behaviors and its potential consequences, including behavioral and mental health problems. This study investigates the prevalence and risk factors associated with the co-occurrence of Problematic Facebook Use and Problematic Video game Use among Tunisian adolescents. METHODOLOGY We conducted a cross-sectional study in the urban area of Sousse governorate in Tunisia during the 2018/2019 school year. We selected a representative sample of high school students enrolled in public educational institutions in Sousse. Data collection was performed through a self-administered structured questionnaire, which gathered information on sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, and mental health disorders. Problematic Facebook Use was assessed using the validated Arabic version of the Bergen Scale, while Problematic Video Game Use was measured using the 21-point Lemmens Scale, which was translated into Arabic. Statistical analysis was carried out using the SPSS program (version 20). RESULTS We enrolled a total of 1342 high school students in our study, of whom, 63.2% were female with a mean age of 17.5 ± 1.44 years. The prevalence of Problematic Facebook Use and Problematic Video Game Use was 28.3% and 13% respectively. Regarding the co-occurrence of the two problematic behaviors, 31.3% of participants faced a singular addictive behavior, either related to problematic Facebook or video game use, while 5% had both addictive behaviors simultaneously. In a multivariate analysis, risk factors for the co-occurrence of Problematic Facebook and Video Game Use, in decreasing order of significance, included severe depression (AOR = 4.527; p = 0.003), anxiety (AOR = 4.216; p = 0.001), male gender (AOR = 4.130; p < 0.001), problematic internet use (AOR = 3.477; p = 0.006), as well as moderate depression (AOR = 3.048; p = 0.007). CONCLUSION Our study found that Problematic Facebook and Video Game Use were prevalent among Tunisian adolescents. The co-occurrence of these disorders is strongly linked to male gender, problematic internet use, depression, and anxiety disorders. These findings underscore the urgency of implementing tailored and effective awareness and prevention programs to address these emerging challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sihem Ben Fredj
- Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, 4000, Tunisia.
- Department of Epidemiology, Farhat Hached University Hospital, "LR19SP03", Sousse, 4000, Tunisia.
| | - Mohamed Ouertani
- Department of Epidemiology, Farhat Hached University Hospital, "LR19SP03", Sousse, 4000, Tunisia
| | - Nawel Zammit
- Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, 4000, Tunisia
- Department of Epidemiology, Farhat Hached University Hospital, "LR19SP03", Sousse, 4000, Tunisia
| | - Rim Ghammam
- Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, 4000, Tunisia
- Department of Epidemiology, Farhat Hached University Hospital, "LR19SP03", Sousse, 4000, Tunisia
| | - Jihen Maatoug
- Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, 4000, Tunisia
- Department of Epidemiology, Farhat Hached University Hospital, "LR19SP03", Sousse, 4000, Tunisia
| | - Firas Chouikha
- Department of Epidemiology, Farhat Hached University Hospital, "LR19SP03", Sousse, 4000, Tunisia
| | - Imed Harrabi
- Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, 4000, Tunisia
- Department of Epidemiology, Farhat Hached University Hospital, "LR19SP03", Sousse, 4000, Tunisia
| | - Hassen Ghannem
- Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, 4000, Tunisia
- Department of Epidemiology, Farhat Hached University Hospital, "LR19SP03", Sousse, 4000, Tunisia
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Dallagi-Belkilani M, Olivier M, Besche-Richard C. Validation of the Basic Empathy Scale in an Arabic-speaking population: The BES-Ar. L'ENCEPHALE 2024; 50:149-153. [PMID: 37088580 DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2023.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this work was to test the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the BES (Basic Empathy Scale) by establishing its factor structure, its internal consistency and construct validity in the general population. DESIGN AND METHODS The BES was tested among 526 Tunisian adults. FINDINGS The two-factor structure of the BES-20 was confirmed. Internal consistency and concurrent validity were very satisfactory. DISCUSSION This scale will be useful for clinicians in various fields (mental health, psychiatry) in Arabic countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manel Dallagi-Belkilani
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Cognition Santé Société, C2S UR6291, 57, rue Pierre Taittinger, 51571 Reims, France
| | - Marie Olivier
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Cognition Santé Société, C2S UR6291, 57, rue Pierre Taittinger, 51571 Reims, France
| | - Chrystel Besche-Richard
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Cognition Santé Société, C2S UR6291, 57, rue Pierre Taittinger, 51571 Reims, France.
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Khedr MA, El-Ashry AM, El-Sayed MM, Elkot MA, Hussein RM. The effect of physical exercises program on social functioning, alexithymia, and sense of coherence among patients with bipolar disorders: A randomized control trial. Arch Psychiatr Nurs 2024; 49:83-92. [PMID: 38734459 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite evidence that physical exercises have been helpful in the treatment of various psychiatric disorders, it is unclear whether these data can be generalized to bipolar disorder. The use of physical exercises is challenging and hopeful among patients with bipolar disorders. Few studies have examined the efficacy of physical exercise for patients with bipolar disorders. OBJECTIVE Investigate the effect of applying physical exercises program on social functioning, alexithymia, and sense of coherence among patients with bipolar disorders. METHODS This study followed a randomized control trial design "pre and post-test." Patients were randomly allocated to intervention (n = 25) and control groups (Waiting list) (n = 25). The Social Functioning Scale, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and Sense of Coherence scales were applied in the study. Pre-test and post-tests were administered to investigate the effect of applying the physical exercises program between December 2022 to March 2023. RESULTS A statistically significant increase in the mean sense of coherence and social functioning scores among the study group. Mean alexithymia scores were significantly decreased among the study group between pre, immediately after, and after a three-month follow-up period. CONCLUSION Physical exercises are an adjunctive treatment modality that is helpful for patients with bipolar disorders. Nurse educators and service providers should reconsider the physical health care requirements for patients with bipolar disorders to equip them to manage the common comorbidities in people with mental illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Abdelwahab Khedr
- Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Hafr Albatin University, Hafr Albatin, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ayman Mohamed El-Ashry
- Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt.
| | - Mona Metwally El-Sayed
- Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt.
| | - Mohamed Ali Elkot
- Department of Exercises, Faculty of Sports Education for Men, Alexandria University, Egypt.
| | - Rash Mohamed Hussein
- Department of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt; Department of Community and Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, College of Nursing, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia.
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Habibi Asgarabad M, Salehi Yegaei P, Jafari F, Azami-Aghdash S, Lumley MA. The relationship of alexithymia to pain and other symptoms in fibromyalgia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Pain 2023; 27:321-337. [PMID: 36471652 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.2064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE People with fibromyalgia (FM) often report having difficulty with emotional identification and expression, and this "alexithymia" may contribute to their pain and other symptoms. Multiple studies have assessed alexithymia in FM, and we systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed this literature to: (a) describe the prevalence of alexithymia in people with FM; (b) compare the level of alexithymia in FM to both healthy controls and controls with other pain conditions; and (c) determine the association of alexithymia to pain intensity, depression, and anxiety in people with FM. DATABASES AND DATA TREATMENT Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched multiple databases (Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Google Scholar) from inception to May 31, 2022. Study quality was assessed with The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tools for cross-sectional studies, and STATA:17 was used for meta-analysis. A total of 32 studies met eligibility criteria and were included in meta-analyses. RESULTS The prevalence of alexithymia in FM averaged 48%. People with FM had substantially higher alexithymia than healthy controls (SMD = 1.00; 95% CI: 0.79 to 1.22), as well people with other pain-related conditions (SMD = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.04 to 0.65), particularly rheumatoid arthritis (SMD = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.08-0.91). Alexithymia was positively associated with pain intensity (r = 0.24), anxiety (r = 0.50), and depression (r = 0.41) among people with FM. CONCLUSIONS Due to the high level of alexithymia in people with FM and the positive relationship of alexithymia with pain and psychological distress, interventions to improve emotional awareness, expression, and processing in FM are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Habibi Asgarabad
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Health Promotion Research Center, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Health Psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Psychiatric Institute), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pardis Salehi Yegaei
- Health Promotion Research Center, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Jafari
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Roudehen Branch, Roudehen, Iran
| | - Saber Azami-Aghdash
- Tabriz Health Services Management Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mark A Lumley
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Michigan, Detroit, USA
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Akariya O, Anholt GE, Shahar G. Is Self-Criticism Uniquely Associated with Health Anxiety among Jewish and Arab Israeli Young Adults? Int J Cogn Ther 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s41811-021-00121-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Rady A, Alamrawy RG, Ramadan I, El Raouf MA. Prevalence of Alexithymia in Patients with Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms: A Cross-sectional Study in Egypt. Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health 2021; 17:136-145. [PMID: 34880925 PMCID: PMC8595980 DOI: 10.2174/1745017902117010136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a high incidence of alexithymia in people who report medically unexplained symptoms. There have been limited studies on the prevalence of alexithymia in patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) in various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of alexithymia in patients with MUPS and examine their socio-demographic data. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, 196 patients with MUPS were recruited from tertiary care internal medicine and neuropsychiatry clinics during the first quarter of 2019. Patients completed a structured interview; socio-demographic and medical history data were collected. Somatic symptom severity was assessed using the Arabic version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15). Alexithymia was assessed using the Arabic version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. RESULTS General fatigue was the most common complaint observed, followed by headache and dyspepsia. In addition, 73.5% of patients had a high Patient Health Questionnaire score, 17.9% had somatic symptoms of medium severity, while 8% and 0.5% had low and marginal somatic symptoms, respectively. Alexithymia was presented in 49.5%, 22.9% had no alexithymia, and 27.6% had borderline/intermediate alexithymia.A weak positive correlation (r<0.4) was found between somatic symptom severity and alexithymic psychopathology (r=0.277;p<0.05). Only the 'difficulty identifying feelings' dimension of alexithymic psychopathology was positively correlated with the severity of somatic symptoms (r=0.271;p<0.05). CONCLUSION Alexithymia is associated with the development of MUPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Rady
- Department of Psychiatry, Alexandria University, School of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Roa Gamal Alamrawy
- Mamoura Psychiatric Hospital, Secretariat of Mental Health and Addiction Treatment, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Ismail Ramadan
- Department of Neurology, Alexandria University School of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Mervat Abd El Raouf
- Department of Neurology, Alexandria University School of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt
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Sellami R, Bouattour W, Baati I, Feki I, Masmoudi J. Relation entre alexithymie et impulsivité dans un échantillon d’adolescents scolarisés de la région de Sfax, Tunisie. ANNALES MEDICO-PSYCHOLOGIQUES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.amp.2019.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Bagby RM, Parker JDA, Taylor GJ. Twenty-five years with the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale. J Psychosom Res 2020; 131:109940. [PMID: 32007790 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2020.109940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Twenty-five years ago, this journal published two articles reporting the development and initial validation of the 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Since then the literature on alexithymia has burgeoned with the vast majority of this research using the TAS-20, including multiple language translations of the scale. METHOD In this article we review the psychometric literature evaluating various aspects of the reliability and validity of the TAS-20 and examine some of the controversies surrounding the scale and the construct it assesses. We reflect on the ways in which the TAS-20 has advanced the measurement of the construct and theory of alexithymia. We also discuss recent developments and some future directions for the measurement of alexithymia. RESULTS Although not without some controversy, the preponderance of the accumulated evidence over a 25-year period supports various aspects of the reliability and validity of the TAS-20, including findings from confirmatory factor analytic and convergent and discriminant validity studies which are consistent with Nemiah et al.'s (Nemiah et al., 1976 [3]) and Taylor and colleagues (Taylor et al., 1997 [9]) theoretical formulations and definition of the alexithymia construct. CONCLUSIONS Based on the accumulated empirical evidence of 25 years, we conclude that the TAS-20 is a reliable and valid instrument and accurately reflects and measures the construct as it was originally defined by Nemiah et al. Nemiah et al. (1976) [3] as composed of deficits in affect awareness and expression and pensée opératoire (operational thinking). Clinicians and researchers can use the TAS-20 to confidently measure alexithymia, the roots of which have foundations in psychosomatic medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Michael Bagby
- Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - James D A Parker
- Department of Psychology, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Graeme J Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry (Emeritus), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Alzahrani SH, Coumaravelou S, Mahmoud I, Beshawri J, Algethami M. Prevalence of alexithymia and associated factors among medical students at King Abdulaziz University: a cross-sectional study. Ann Saudi Med 2020; 40:55-62. [PMID: 32026718 PMCID: PMC7012024 DOI: 10.5144/0256-4947.2020.55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medical students are at higher risk of developing alexithymia due to the nature of their studies. OBJECTIVES Determine the prevalence of alexithymia and potential risk factors among medical students in Saudi Arabia. DESIGN A cross-sectional analytic study. SETTINGS University medical school. PATIENTS AND METHODS An institutional cross-sectional survey of medical students was conducted using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) to assess the prevalence of alexithymia and potentially associated factors (gender, parental marital status, grade point average, status of accommodations, smoking status, year of study, childhood abuse, a history of mental illness, and physical activity). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Gender, parental marital status, grade point average, status of accommodations, smoking status, year of study, childhood abuse, a history of mental illness, and physical activity. SAMPLE SIZE 347. RESULTS The prevalence of alexithymia among medical students was 49% (95% confidence interval [43.8-54.2]). A binary logistic regression model showed significant associations between alexithymia and academic year of study (lower risk of alexithymia in the clerkship (5th, 6th years); odds ratio [OR]: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.26-0.72), smoking (OR: 3.52, 95% CI: 1.60-3.34), grade point average (lowest; OR: 10.44, 95% CI: 4.24-25.77), history of childhood abuse (OR: 2, 95% CI: 1.20-8.77), and history of psychiatric illness (OR: 14.40, 95% CI: 4.76-21.06). CONCLUSION Almost half of the medical students suffer from alexithymia. Increasing the awareness about alexithymia among students and directing them where to seek help would facilitate the management of these problems. LIMITATIONS Limited only to medical students from the second year to the sixth year in a single medical college, which affects generalizability. The cross-sectional design might have also limited generalizability. CONFLICT OF INTEREST None.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami Hamdan Alzahrani
- From the Family Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saravanan Coumaravelou
- From the Family and Community Medicine and Behavioral Sciences Department, University of Sharjah College of Medicine, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ibrahim Mahmoud
- From the Family and Community Medicine and Behavioral Sciences Department, University of Sharjah College of Medicine, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jameel Beshawri
- From the Family Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Algethami
- From the Family Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Khosravani V, Najafi M, Naragon-Gainey K, Mohammadzadeh A. Investigation of the factorial structure and psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 in patients with psychiatric disorders. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-019-00329-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Tuliao AP, Klanecky AK, Landoy BVN, McChargue DE. Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20: Examining 18 Competing Factor Structure Solutions in a U.S. Sample and a Philippines Sample. Assessment 2019; 27:1515-1531. [PMID: 30661362 DOI: 10.1177/1073191118824030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 is arguably the most utilized measure of alexithymia. Although a three-factor solution has been found by numerous studies, these findings are not universal. This article examined and compared 18 competing factor structures for the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20, which included between one and four correlated latent factor structures, common methods models that accounts for negatively worded items, and bifactor models. Although the two-factor bifactor model with a common methods factor had the better model fit compared with the other 17 models examined, it still did not achieve the requisites of a good model fit across all model fit indices. Issues stemmed primarily from the externally oriented thinking factor and the negatively worded items. Post hoc analyses indicated that a two-factor bifactor model with the negatively worded items dropped achieved the requisites of a good model fit and can be treated as a unidimensional measure despite the presence of multidimensionality. Multiple-group analysis indicated that the factor loadings were invariant across U.S. and Philippines samples. After controlling for noninvariance at the item intercept level, the Philippines sample had a higher alexithymia general score compared with the U.S. sample.
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Developing a short version of the Toronto Structured Interview for Alexithymia using item response theory. Psychiatry Res 2018; 266:218-227. [PMID: 29609989 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The Toronto Structured Interview for Alexithymia (TSIA) was developed to provide a structured interview method for assessing alexithymia. One drawback of this instrument is the amount of time it takes to administer and score. The current study used item response theory (IRT) methods to analyze data from a large heterogeneous multi-language sample (N = 842) to investigate whether a subset of items could be selected to create a short version of the instrument. Samejima's (1969) graded response model was used to fit the item responses. Items providing maximum information were retained in the short model, resulting in the elimination of 12-items from the original 24-items. Despite the 50% reduction in the number of items, 65.22% of the information was retained. Further studies are needed to validate the short version. A short version of the TSIA is potentially of practical value to clinicians and researchers with time constraints.
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González-Arias M, Martínez-Molina A, Galdames S, Urzúa A. Psychometric Properties of the 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale in the Chilean Population. Front Psychol 2018; 9:963. [PMID: 29946289 PMCID: PMC6005868 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alexithymia can be defined as inability to identify and describe emotions in the self. Has shown to be related to several psychological and pathological processes that can result in unsatisfactory interpersonal relationships and decreased social adjustment. Advances in research of alexithymia require the development and validation of assessment instruments, and its application to different population. With this aim, we studied the psychometric properties of the Twenty-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) in Chilean population using various modeling procedures (e.g., CFA, ESEM) in different structures (i.e., Correlated, Unidimensional, Hierarchical or Wording factors). Among the 10 models tested, the four-dimensional structure offered the best fit but with item-loading problems in the last factor (Pragmatic Thinking). We suggest that the studied version of the scale needs improvement (theoretical and empirical) to ensure optimal indices of validation for Chilean population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Agustín Martínez-Molina
- Metodología de las Ciencias del Comportamiento, Psicología y Sociología, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Alfonso Urzúa
- Psicología, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta, Chile
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