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Schell C, Quilty LC, Cunningham JA. Investigating Alexithymia as a Moderator of Outcomes in a Randomized Controlled Trial of an Online Intervention for Co-Occurring Depression and Hazardous Alcohol Use: Enquête sur l'alexithymie en tant que modérateur des résultats dans un essai randomisé contrôlé d'une intervention en ligne pour la dépression concomitante et la consommation dangereuse d'alcool. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 2024:7067437241249412. [PMID: 38682315 DOI: 10.1177/07067437241249412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alexithymia is characterized by difficulty identifying and/or describing emotions, reduced imaginal processes, and externally oriented thinking. High levels of alexithymia may increase the challenge of supporting individuals with co-occurring depression and hazardous alcohol use. This secondary analysis sought to investigate whether or not alexithymia moderated the outcomes of an online intervention for depression and alcohol use. METHOD As part of a randomized controlled trial, 988 participants were randomly assigned to receive an intervention dually focused on depression and alcohol use, or an intervention only focused on depression. The pre-specified mediation hypothesis was that changes in drinking at 3 months follow-up would effect the association between the intervention and change in depression at 6 months. This secondary analysis extends the investigation by adding alexithymia as a moderator. RESULTS The current analysis demonstrated that including alexithymia as a moderator resulted in a conditional direct effect. Specifically, there was an intervention effect where participants who received the combined depression and alcohol intervention had larger improvements in their depression scores at 6 months, but this was only when their alexithymia score at baseline was also high (60.5 or higher). CONCLUSION These results suggest that treatment planning and intervention effectiveness could be informed and optimized by taking alexithymia severity into consideration. This is especially merited as alexithymia can contribute to the weaker therapeutic alliance, more distress and dysphoria, shorter periods of abstinence, and more severe depression, compounding the complexity of supporting individuals with comorbid conditions. More research is needed to systematically investigate these possible modifying effects. PLAIN LANGUAGE TITLE Does difficulty identifying/describing emotions or externally-oriented thinking influence the effectiveness of an intervention among people with both depression and hazardous alcohol use?
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Schell
- Institute for Mental Health and Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lena C Quilty
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - John A Cunningham
- Institute for Mental Health and Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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Rice A, Lavender JM, Shank LM, Higgins Neyland MK, Markos B, Repke H, Haynes H, Gallagher-Teske J, Schvey NA, Sbrocco T, Wilfley DE, Ford B, Ford CB, Jorgensen S, Yanovski JA, Haigney M, Klein DA, Quinlan J, Tanofsky-Kraff M. Associations among alexithymia, disordered eating, and depressive symptoms in treatment-seeking adolescent military dependents at risk for adult binge-eating disorder and obesity. Eat Weight Disord 2022; 27:3083-3093. [PMID: 35852767 PMCID: PMC9805474 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-022-01429-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Evidence suggests that difficulties identifying and describing one's feelings, core components of alexithymia, are associated with attitudinal and behavioral symptoms of disordered eating; depressive symptoms also may underlie these associations. Specifically, research indicates that alexithymia is positively related to depressive symptoms, which in turn may promote both disordered-eating attitudes and certain disinhibited-eating behaviors (e.g., emotional eating). Findings also suggest that military-dependent youth with high weight may exhibit elevated depressive symptoms and disordered eating. As such, understanding associations among alexithymia, depressive symptoms, and disordered eating is particularly relevant for this vulnerable population. METHODS We examined 149 adolescent military dependents (14.4 ± 1.6y; 55.0% female; 20.0% non-Hispanic Black; BMIz: 1.9 ± 0.4) at high risk for binge-eating disorder and obesity in adulthood. Participants completed questionnaires assessing two components of alexithymia (difficulty identifying feelings [DIF] and difficulty describing feelings [DDF]), depressive symptoms, emotional eating, and trait anxiety; disordered-eating attitudes were assessed via semi-structured interview. RESULTS A series of regression-based models examined indirect relationships of DIF and DDF with disordered-eating attitudes and emotional eating through depressive symptoms. Bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals revealed a significant indirect path from each of the alexithymia components to disordered-eating attitudes via depressive symptoms; indirect paths to emotional eating were non-significant. CONCLUSION Results support the salience of depressive symptoms in the relationship between alexithymia and disordered-eating attitudes. Future research should utilize prospective designs and explore direct and indirect associations of alexithymia with other disordered-eating behaviors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III, evidence obtained from a well-designed cohort study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Rice
- Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (MiCOR) Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) and the Metis Foundation, Bethesda, MD, USA
- The Metis Foundation, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jason M Lavender
- Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (MiCOR) Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) and the Metis Foundation, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- The Metis Foundation, San Antonio, TX, USA.
- Department of Medicine, USU, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Lisa M Shank
- Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (MiCOR) Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) and the Metis Foundation, Bethesda, MD, USA
- The Metis Foundation, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Medicine, USU, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Section on Growth and Obesity, Program in Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, USU, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - M K Higgins Neyland
- Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (MiCOR) Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) and the Metis Foundation, Bethesda, MD, USA
- The Metis Foundation, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Medicine, USU, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Bethelhem Markos
- Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (MiCOR) Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) and the Metis Foundation, Bethesda, MD, USA
- The Metis Foundation, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Hannah Repke
- Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (MiCOR) Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) and the Metis Foundation, Bethesda, MD, USA
- The Metis Foundation, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Hannah Haynes
- Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (MiCOR) Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) and the Metis Foundation, Bethesda, MD, USA
- The Metis Foundation, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Section on Growth and Obesity, Program in Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Julia Gallagher-Teske
- Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (MiCOR) Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) and the Metis Foundation, Bethesda, MD, USA
- The Metis Foundation, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Natasha A Schvey
- Section on Growth and Obesity, Program in Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, USU, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tracy Sbrocco
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, USU, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Brian Ford
- Department of Family Medicine, USU, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Caitlin B Ford
- Department of Family Medicine, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, VA, USA
| | - Sarah Jorgensen
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Jack A Yanovski
- Section on Growth and Obesity, Program in Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark Haigney
- Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (MiCOR) Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) and the Metis Foundation, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, USU, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David A Klein
- Department of Family Medicine, USU, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jeffrey Quinlan
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Marian Tanofsky-Kraff
- Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (MiCOR) Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) and the Metis Foundation, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, USU, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Section on Growth and Obesity, Program in Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, USU, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Honkalampi K, Jokela M, Lehto SM, Kivimäki M, Virtanen M. Association between alexithymia and substance use: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Scand J Psychol 2022; 63:427-438. [PMID: 35436351 PMCID: PMC9790486 DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Alexithymia has been associated with substance use, but the magnitude of the association has not been evaluated and sub-group differences, if any, are unknown. The aim of this meta-analysis is to systematically review the association between alexithymia and substance use (alcohol or illicit drugs). We identified studies through a systematic review of PubMed and Web of Science and obtained a total of 52 publications using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 scale. Random effects meta-analysis was used to evaluate the overall and sub-group associations. Of the studies, 50 were cross-sectional and two longitudinal. Alexithymia was associated with any substance use (Cohen's d = 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.49-0.76), with little difference between estimates for use of alcohol or illicit drugs. A stronger association was observed for the alexithymia dimension "Difficulty in Identifying Feelings" (d = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.47-0.81) and "Difficulty in Describing Feelings" (d = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.32-0.55) than for "Externally Oriented Thinking" (d = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.09-0.28). The association was stronger in studies with clinical patient populations (d = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.62-1.05) than in those investigating general or student populations, and in studies with a majority of male rather than female participants. These findings suggest a strong overall association between alexithymia and substance use and a very strong association among clinical patient populations. The association may be stronger with the emotion-related dimensions than with the cognition-related dimension of alexithymia. As nearly all the studies were cross-sectional, more longitudinal studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsi Honkalampi
- School of Educational Sciences and PsychologyUniversity of Eastern FinlandJoensuuFinland
| | - Markus Jokela
- Department of Psychology and LogopedicsUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Soili M. Lehto
- Department of Psychology and LogopedicsUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland,Institute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway,R&D department, Division of Mental Health ServicesAkershus University HospitalLørenskogNorway,Department of PsychiatryUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Mika Kivimäki
- Clinicum, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland,Department of Epidemiology and Public HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Marianna Virtanen
- School of Educational Sciences and PsychologyUniversity of Eastern FinlandJoensuuFinland,Division of Insurance MedicineKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
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Ersöğütçü F, Kargin M. The relationship between self-esteem and alexithymia in individuals with substance use disorders. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2022.2098840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Filiz Ersöğütçü
- Faculty of Health Science Nursing Department, Firat University, Elazığ, Turkey
| | - Maral Kargin
- Faculty of Health Science Nursing Department, Cyprus Science University, Kyrenia, Cyprus
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Linn BK, Zhao J, Bradizza CM, Lucke JF, Ruszczyk MU, Stasiewicz PR. Alexithymia disrupts emotion regulation processes and is associated with greater negative affect and alcohol problems. J Clin Psychol 2021; 77:2915-2928. [PMID: 34787929 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alexithymia is common among people who abuse alcohol, yet the mechanisms by which alexithymia exerts its influence remain unclear. This analysis tested a model whereby the three subscales of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale exert an indirect effect on alcohol problems through difficulties with emotion regulation and psychological distress. METHOD Men and women (n = 141) seeking alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Difficulties with Emotion Regulation Scale, the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Short Inventory of Problems, and the Alcohol Dependence Scale. RESULTS The Difficulty Identifying Feelings subscale of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale was positively associated with alcohol problems through emotion dysregulation and psychological distress. The other two subscales, Difficulty Describing Feelings and Externally oriented Thinking, were not associated with any other variables. CONCLUSION People with alexithymia may consume alcohol to help regulate undifferentiated states of emotional arousal. Given the prevalence of alexithymia among people who abuse alcohol, treatment supplements that enhance the identification of emotions are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Braden K Linn
- Clinical and Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Junru Zhao
- School of Social Work, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Clara M Bradizza
- School of Social Work, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Joseph F Lucke
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | | | - Paul R Stasiewicz
- School of Social Work, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
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Stability of alexithymia is low from adolescence to young adulthood, and the consistency of alexithymia is associated with symptoms of depression and dissociation. J Psychosom Res 2021; 150:110629. [PMID: 34598049 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aims of this study were to investigate the stability of alexithymia from adolescence to young adulthood, as well as the association between alexithymia, peer relationships, and symptoms of depression and dissociation. METHODS The participants (n = 755, aged 13-18 years) were assessed with self-rated questionnaires and the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) at baseline in 2005 and on follow-up in 2011. RESULTS The changes in the TAS-20 total score (t = -12.26) and the scores for its subscales, difficulty identifying feelings (DIF) (t = -4.04), difficulty describing feelings (DDF) (t = -5.10), and externally oriented thinking (EOT) (t = -18.23), were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Effect sizes (Cohen's d) for the change indicating absolute stability were small for DIF (-0.15) and DDF (-0.19), medium for TAS-20 total (-0.45), and large for EOT (-0.66) scores. Moderate correlations in test-retests with Spearman's ρ (TAS-20 total 0.46, DIF 0.41, DDF 0.39, EOT 0.43) indicated relative stability, whereas low intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) (respectively 0.41, 0.39, 0.37, 0.37) indicated poor reliability of test-retests. In regression analyses, poor relationships with peers, loneliness, and symptoms of depression and dissociation at baseline associated with alexithymia at baseline and on follow-up. Unlike EOT, increases in the TAS-20 total, DIF, and DDF scores during the 6-year follow-up associated with baseline symptoms of depression and dissociation. CONCLUSIONS Alexithymia in adolescence is not always a reliable predictor of alexithymia in young adulthood. Mental health symptoms appear to affect the consistency of alexithymia during adolescent development.
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Çoban ÖG, Önder A. Alexithymia Is Associated With Internalizing Disorders in a Clinical Adolescent Outpatient Sample. J Nerv Ment Dis 2021; 209:636-639. [PMID: 34280177 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000001390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate alexithymic traits in an adolescent clinical sample with internalizing and externalizing disorders. The study group consisted of 125 adolescents aged between 12 and 17 years who applied at our outpatient unit and diagnosed with an internalizing or externalizing disorder. The healthy control group consisted of 53 adolescents with no psychiatric disorder. All subjects fulfilled the Alexithymia Questionnaire for Children (AQC). Total AQC scores were higher in the study group than in the control group. When we divided the study group into two groups as internalizing and externalizing disorders, total AQC scores, AQC-difficulty identifying feelings, and AQC-difficulty describing feelings were significantly higher in the internalizing disorder group than in the externalizing disorder group. AQC-externally oriented thinking scores were significantly higher in the externalizing disorder group than in the internalizing disorder group. In future research, it would be useful to further increase understanding of alexithymia and its association with psychiatric disorders in adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özge Gizli Çoban
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
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Obeid S, Lahoud N, Haddad C, Sacre H, Akel M, Fares K, Salameh P, Hallit S. Factors associated with depression among the Lebanese population: Results of a cross-sectional study. Perspect Psychiatr Care 2020; 56:956-967. [PMID: 32314394 DOI: 10.1111/ppc.12518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with depression in a representative sample of the Lebanese population. DESIGN/METHODS A cross-sectional study, conducted between November 2017 and March 2018, enrolled 789 participants. Depression was measured using the Arabic version of the Hamilton Depression Scale. RESULTS The participants' mean age was 30.30 ± 12.52 years (54.8% males). More than half of the participants had depressive symptoms (59.7%). Anxiety (β = .457), alcohol dependence (β = .290), suicidal ideation (β = 1.427), high socioeconomic status (β = 1.910), being widowed (β = 4.564), and physical work fatigue (β = .090) were significantly associated with higher depression. Higher social emotional awareness was significantly associated with lower depression (β = -.176). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS This study sheds light on high levels of psychological distress and depression among the Lebanese general population and suggests potential preventative strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Obeid
- Research and Psychology Departments, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jal Eddib, Lebanon.,Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon.,INSPECT-LB: Institut National de Santé Publique, Epidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie-Liban, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nathalie Lahoud
- INSPECT-LB: Institut National de Santé Publique, Epidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie-Liban, Beirut, Lebanon.,School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Chadia Haddad
- Research and Psychology Departments, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jal Eddib, Lebanon.,UMR 1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Institut d'Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, GEIST, Univ. Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Hala Sacre
- INSPECT-LB: Institut National de Santé Publique, Epidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie-Liban, Beirut, Lebanon.,Drug Information Center, Order of Pharmacists of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Marwan Akel
- School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon.,UMR 1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Institut d'Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, GEIST, Univ. Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Kassandra Fares
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon
| | - Pascale Salameh
- INSPECT-LB: Institut National de Santé Publique, Epidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie-Liban, Beirut, Lebanon.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.,Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Souheil Hallit
- INSPECT-LB: Institut National de Santé Publique, Epidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie-Liban, Beirut, Lebanon.,Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon
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Ünübol H, Sayar GH. Substance use and its risk factors in Turkey: a nationally representative sample study. J Ethn Subst Abuse 2020; 21:476-498. [DOI: 10.1080/15332640.2020.1781731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Honkalampi K, Flink N, Lehto SM, Ruusunen A, Koivumaa-Honkanen H, Valkonen-Korhonen M, Viinamäki H. Adverse childhood experiences and alexithymia in patients with major depressive disorder. Nord J Psychiatry 2020; 74:45-50. [PMID: 31808358 DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2019.1667430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of the article: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been postulated to negatively affect the development of emotional regulation. However, little is known about specific associations between ACEs, depressive symptoms, and alexithymia or its components [i.e. difficulty in identifying feelings (DIF), difficulty in describing feelings to others (DDF) and externally-oriented thinking (EOT)] in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The aims of the present cross-sectional study were to (1) compare ACEs (emotional neglect, emotional abuse, physical neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse) between alexithymic and non-alexithymic patients with MDD; (2) explore whether specific ACEs, depressive symptoms or the interaction between sex and depressive symptoms predicted TAS-20 or its components.Materials and Methods: The study sample consisted of 186 psychiatric outpatients with MDD (aged 21-61 years, mean 33.87 years, SD 10.88) recruited from the Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Hospital between 2016-2019. Alexithymia and its components were assessed using the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). ACEs were assessed with the Trauma and Distress Scale (TADS).Results: Almost all patients with alexithymia and 80% of non-alexithymic patients reported that they had experienced emotional abuse or neglect, at least sometimes. Approximately 60% of MDD patients reported having experienced physical neglect and 30% described physical abuse. Emotional and physical abuse and neglect predicted DDF score.Conclusions: These findings suggest that among MDD patients, early experiences of emotional and physical abuse and neglect is associated with difficulties in describing feelings in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsi Honkalampi
- School of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Niko Flink
- School of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Soili M Lehto
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.,Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anu Ruusunen
- Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.,IMPACT Strategic Research Centre/Food and Mood Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.,Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Heli Koivumaa-Honkanen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.,Department of Psychiatry, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Minna Valkonen-Korhonen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Heimo Viinamäki
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
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