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Levantini V, Camodeca M, Iannello NM. The Contribution of Bullying Involvement and Alexithymia to Somatic Complaints in Preadolescents. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:children10050905. [PMID: 37238453 DOI: 10.3390/children10050905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Somatic complaints during preadolescence are connected to individual and contextual factors, and extant research highlights the relevance of alexithymia and bullying involvement. In this cross-sectional study, we explored the joint and unique influence of bullying involvement-as perpetrators, victims, or outsiders-and alexithymia on somatic complaints in a sample of 179 Italian middle-school students (aged 11-15). Findings revealed an indirect association between bullying perpetration and victimization complaints through alexithymia. We also found a significant direct association between victimization and somatic complaints. No significant association between outsider behavior and somatization was found. Our results revealed that bullying perpetration and victimization could increase youths' risk for somatic complaints and clarify one of the processes underlying this association. The current findings further emphasize the relevance of emotional awareness for youths' well-being and propose that implementing social-emotional skills might prevent some of the adverse consequences of being involved in bullying episodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Levantini
- IRCCS Stella Maris, Scientific Institute of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Marina Camodeca
- Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education, and Society, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
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2
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Exploring alexithymia profiles and their associations with childhood adversity and COVID-19 burnout among Chinese college students: A person-centered approach. JOURNAL OF APPLIED DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.appdev.2022.101486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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3
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Jungmann SM, Wagner L, Klein M, Kaurin A. Functional Somatic Symptoms and Emotion Regulation in Children and Adolescents. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY IN EUROPE 2022; 4:e4299. [PMID: 36397947 PMCID: PMC9667419 DOI: 10.32872/cpe.4299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Functional Somatic Symptoms (FSS; i.e. symptoms without sufficient organic explanation) often begin in childhood and adolescence and are common to this developmental period. Emotion regulation and parental factors seem to play a relevant role in the development and maintenance of FSS. So far, little systematic research has been conducted in childhood and adolescence on the importance of specific emotion regulation strategies and their links with parental factors. Method In two studies, children and adolescents (Study 1/Study 2: N = 46/68; 65%/60% female, Age M = 10.0/13.1) and their parents completed questionnaires on children's FSS and adaptive and maladaptive emotional regulation (in Study 2, additionally parental somatization and child/parental alexithymia). Results In both studies, child-reported FSS were negatively associated with children's adaptive emotion regulation (r = -.34/-.31, p < .03; especially acceptance) and positively with children's maladaptive emotion regulation and alexithymia (r = .53/.46, p < .001). Moreover, children's maladaptive emotion regulation (β = .34, p = .02) explained incremental variance in child-reported FSS beyond children's age/sex, parental somatization and emotion regulation. In contrast, parental somatization was the only significant predictor (β = .44, p < .001) of parent-reported FSS in children/adolescents. Conclusion Our results suggest that particularly rumination and alexithymia and parental somatization are important predictors of FSS in children/adolescents. Overall, the results showed a dependence on the person reporting children's FSS (i.e., method-variance). So, for future studies it is relevant to continue using the multi-informant approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie M. Jungmann
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Louisa Wagner
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Marlene Klein
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Aleksandra Kaurin
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany
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4
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Hébert M, Smith K, Boisjoli C, Larouche S. Validation of the French version of the Children's Alexithymia Measure. L'ENCEPHALE 2021; 47:306-313. [DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2020.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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5
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Scarpazza C, Zangrossi A, Huang YC, Sartori G, Massaro S. Disentangling interoceptive abilities in alexithymia. PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2021; 86:844-857. [PMID: 34097132 PMCID: PMC8182733 DOI: 10.1007/s00426-021-01538-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, research on interoceptive abilities (i.e., sensibility, accuracy, and awareness) and their associations with emotional experience has flourished. Yet interoceptive abilities in alexithymia—a personality trait characterized by a difficulty in the cognitive interpretation of emotional arousal, which impacts emotional experience—remain under-investigated, thereby limiting a full understanding of subjective emotional experience processing. Research has proposed two contrasting explanations thus far: in one model, the dimensions of interoceptive sensibility and accuracy in alexithymia would increase; in the other model, they would decrease. Surprisingly, the contribution of interoceptive awareness has been minimally researched. In this study (N = 182), the relationship between participants’ level of alexithymia and the three interoceptive dimensions was tested. Our results show that the higher the level of alexithymia is, the higher interoceptive accuracy and sensibility (R2 = 0.29 and R2 = 0.14); conversely, the higher the level of alexithymia is, the lower interoceptive awareness (R2 = 0.36). Moreover, an ROC analysis reveals that interoceptive awareness is the most accurate predictor of alexithymia, yielding over 92% accuracy. Collectively, these results support a coherent understanding of interoceptive abilities in alexithymia, whereby the dissociation of interoceptive accuracy and awareness may explain the underlying psycho-physiological mechanisms of alexithymia. A possible neurocognitive mechanism is discussed which suggests insurgence of psychosomatic disorders in alexithymia and related psychotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Scarpazza
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 8, 35131, Padua, PD, Italy.
| | - Andrea Zangrossi
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 5, 35128, Padua, Italy.,Padova Neuroscience Center (PCN), University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 5, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Yu-Chun Huang
- The Organizational Neuroscience Laboratory, 27 Old Gloucester Street, London, WC1N 3AX, UK.,Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, University Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Giuseppe Sartori
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 8, 35131, Padua, PD, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Massaro
- The Organizational Neuroscience Laboratory, 27 Old Gloucester Street, London, WC1N 3AX, UK.,Surrey Business School, University of Surrey, Guildford, Rik Medlik Building (MS), Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
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6
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Alslman ET, Hamaideh SH, Bani Hani MA, Atiyeh HM. Alexithymia, fibromyalgia, and psychological distress among adolescents: literature review. Int J Adolesc Med Health 2020; 32:ijamh-2017-0081. [PMID: 32750034 DOI: 10.1515/ijamh-2017-0081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to review the literature regarding the relationships between alexithymia, fibromyalgia (FM), and psychological distress among adolescents. Google Scholar and databases were searched using alexithymia, fibromyalgia, psychological distress, and adolescent keywords. Studies that examine the relationship between alexithymia and fibromyalgia and the contribution of psychological distress on this relationship among adolescents are lacking. However, based on previous studies on adult samples and theoretical background, there are possible relationship between alexithymia and fibromyalgia as well as possible mediating effect of psychological distress on this relationship in adolescents. Further studies are recommended to examine the relationships between alexithymia, fibromyalgia, and psychological distress among adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman Tariq Alslman
- Adjunct Faculty of Nursing, Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Shaher H Hamaideh
- Faculty of Nursing, Community and Mental Health Nursing Department, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
| | - Manar Ali Bani Hani
- Director of National Emergency Medical Services Educational Center, Jordanian Royal Medical Services Amman, Jordan; and Faculty of Nursing, Albalqa Applied University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Huda Mohammad Atiyeh
- Health Educator, Ministry of Health-Princess Rahma Pediatric Teaching Hospital, Irbid, Jordan
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Alexithymic Traits and Somatic Symptoms in Children and Adolescents: a Screening Approach to Explore the Mediation Role of Depression. Psychiatr Q 2020; 91:521-532. [PMID: 32020499 DOI: 10.1007/s11126-020-09715-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The association among alexithymia, somatic symptoms and clinical correlates has been scantly investigated in children. The present study examined alexithymic features and somatic symptomatology in schoolchildren with high and low levels of depression, testing the role of depressive symptoms in mediating the associations between alexithymia and somatic symptoms. Seven-hundred schoolchildren were involved in this study and divided into two subgroups (8-10 years and 11-14 years) in order to test differences according to the age. Participants completed the Children's Somatization Inventory-24 for the assessment of somatic symptoms, the Alexithymia Questionnaire for Children to evaluate alexithymic features and the Children's Depression Inventory-2 to investigate depressive symptoms. Results showed that children with high levels of depression reported both higher alexithymia and somatic symptoms levels. Despite a direct effect of alexithymia on somatic symptoms, the mediation analyses also highlighted an indirect effect of alexythimia on somatic symptoms through depressive symptoms. Findings suggested that a depressive symptomatology may clarify why schoolchildren with high alexithymia scores tend to report higher levels of health problems. Results also support the possibility that depressive symptoms may contribute to the development of somatic symptomatology among schoolchildren in the presence of high levels of alexithymia.
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8
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Nonterah CW, Marek RJ, Borckardt JJ, Balliet WE. Impact of Alexithymia on Organ Transplant Candidates' Quality of Life: The Mediating Role of Depressive Symptoms. Psychol Rep 2019; 123:1614-1634. [PMID: 31856644 DOI: 10.1177/0033294119896058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Solid organ transplant candidates who display alexithymia tend to report psychological distress with some displaying symptoms associated with depression which in turn has a negative impact on their quality of life. This study sought to examine the mediating role of depression on the relationship between alexithymia and physical and psychological quality of life. The sample comprised 707 patients who were under consideration for solid organ transplantation. Mediation models were used to examine the proposed hypotheses, specifically that alexithymia would predict quality of life, and that depression would mediate the relationship between alexithymia and physical and psychological quality of life. Findings revealed that alexithymia predicted both physical and psychological quality of life. Depression scores partially mediated the relationship between alexithymia and both physical and psychological quality of life. Transplant candidates with higher levels of alexithymia who report poor physical and psychological quality of life may be at increased risk for depression. Results highlight the need to assess alexithymia within this unique patient population, who may understate symptoms of depression due to attempts at positive impression management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ryan J Marek
- University of Houston-Clear Lake, Houston, TX, USA
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9
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Shank LM, Tanofsky-Kraff M, Kelly NR, Jaramillo M, Rubin SG, Altman DR, Byrne ME, LeMay-Russell S, Schvey NA, Broadney MM, Brady SM, Yang SB, Courville AB, Ramirez S, Crist AC, Yanovski SZ, Yanovski JA. The association between alexithymia and eating behavior in children and adolescents. Appetite 2019; 142:104381. [PMID: 31344421 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2019.104381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/21/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alexithymia, or the difficulty identifying or describing one's own emotions, may be a risk factor for dysregulated eating and excess weight gain. However, the relationships between alexithymia and eating behaviors in community samples of non-clinical youth have not been well-characterized. We hypothesized that alexithymia would be positively associated with disordered and disinhibited eating in a community-based sample of boys and girls without an eating disorder. METHOD Two hundred children (8-17 years old) across the weight spectrum completed an interview to assess loss of control (LOC) eating and eating-related psychopathology, a laboratory test meal designed to induce disinhibited eating, and questionnaires to assess alexithymia, eating in the absence of hunger, and emotional eating. Linear and logistic regressions were conducted to examine the relationship between alexithymia and eating variables, with age, sex, race, and fat mass as covariates. Test meal analyses also adjusted for lean mass. Given the overlap between alexithymia and depression, all models were repeated with depressive symptoms as an additional covariate. RESULTS Alexithymia was associated with an increased likelihood of reporting LOC eating (p < .05). Moreover, alexithymia was positively associated with disordered eating attitudes, emotional eating, and eating in the absence of hunger (ps < .05). Greater alexithymia was associated with more carbohydrate and less fat intake at the test meal (ps < .05). After adjusting for depressive symptoms, alexithymia remained associated with eating in the absence of hunger and carbohydrate and fat intake (ps < .05). DISCUSSION In healthy children, alexithymia is associated with some facets of eating behavior and food intake. If supported prospectively, these preliminary findings suggest alexithymia may be a modifiable risk factor to reduce disordered eating and excess weight gain in youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Shank
- Medical and Clinical Psychology Department, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA; Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA; Metis Foundation, 300 Convent St #1330, San Antonio, TX, 78205, USA
| | - Marian Tanofsky-Kraff
- Medical and Clinical Psychology Department, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA; Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Nichole R Kelly
- Department of Counseling Psychology and Human Services, and Prevention Science, College of Education, 5207 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403-5207, USA
| | - Manuela Jaramillo
- Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Sarah G Rubin
- Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Deborah R Altman
- Medical and Clinical Psychology Department, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA; Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Meghan E Byrne
- Medical and Clinical Psychology Department, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA; Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Sarah LeMay-Russell
- Medical and Clinical Psychology Department, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA; Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Natasha A Schvey
- Medical and Clinical Psychology Department, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA; Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Miranda M Broadney
- Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Sheila M Brady
- Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Shanna B Yang
- Nutrition Department, Clinical Research Center, National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Amber B Courville
- Nutrition Department, Clinical Research Center, National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Sophie Ramirez
- Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Alexa C Crist
- Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Susan Z Yanovski
- Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA; Office of Obesity Research, Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), DHHS, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Jack A Yanovski
- Section on Growth and Obesity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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10
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Silvestri PR, Chiarotti F, Giustini S, Cardona F. Alexithymia and tic disorders: a study on a sample of children and their mothers. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2019; 28:461-470. [PMID: 30056587 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-018-1209-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Tic disorders are neurodevelopmental disorders characterised by the presence of motor or phonic tics, or both. Patients with tic disorders commonly report premonitory urges of tics. Alexithymia is a psychological trait characterised by a difficulty in identifying and expressing one's own feelings and by an externally oriented thinking. We aimed to explore alexithymia in children with tic disorders and in their mothers. Global alexithymia scores of both children with tic disorders and of their mothers did not differ from those of the participants from the control group. In the tic disorder group, however, both children and their mothers showed a cognitive style characterised by operational thinking and a lack of imaginative abilities. The mothers of children with tic disorder reported significantly higher parental stress. Alexithymia was not predictive of tic severity but was predictive of the severity of the premonitory urges. The implications of these findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola R Silvestri
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sabelli 108, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Chiarotti
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Sandra Giustini
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Cardona
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sabelli 108, 00185, Rome, Italy.
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Han D, Li M, Mei M, Sun X. Regional homogeneity of intrinsic brain activity related to the main alexithymia dimensions. Gen Psychiatr 2018; 31:e000003. [PMID: 30582113 PMCID: PMC6211278 DOI: 10.1136/gpsych-2018-000003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Alexithymia is a multidimensional personality construct. Objective This study aims to investigate the neuronal correlates of each alexithymia dimension by examining the regional homogeneity (ReHo) of intrinsic brain activity in a resting situation. Methods From university freshmen, students with alexithymia and non-alexithymia were recruited. Their alexithymic traits were assessed using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20. The ReHo was examined using a resting-state functional MRI approach. Results This study suggests significant group differences in ReHo in multiple brain regions distributed in the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, occipital lobe and insular cortex. However, only the ReHo in the insula was positively associated with difficulty identifying feelings, a main dimension of alexithymia. The ReHo in the lingual gyrus, precentral gyrus and postcentral gyrus was positively associated with difficulty describing feelings in participants with alexithymia. Lastly, the ReHo in the right dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC_R) was negatively related to the externally oriented thinking style of participants with alexithymia. Conclusion In conclusion, these results suggest that the main dimensions of alexithymia are correlated with specific brain regions’ function, and the role of the insula, lingual gyrus, precentral gyrus, postcentral gyrus and DMPFC_R in the neuropathology of alexithymia should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dai Han
- Institute of Psychological Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive Impairments, Hangzhou, China.,Center for Cognition and Brain Disorders, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mei Li
- Mental Health Education and Counseling Center, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Minjun Mei
- Mental Health Education and Counseling Center, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaofei Sun
- Mental Health Education and Counseling Center, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
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Relationship between Pain, Somatisation, and Emotional Awareness in Primary School Children. PAIN RESEARCH AND TREATMENT 2018; 2018:4316234. [PMID: 30538863 PMCID: PMC6260528 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4316234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Poor emotional awareness (EA) seems to play an important role in the aetiology of functional somatic complaints featuring pain as a form of somatisation. The aim of this study was to shed more light on this relationship by investigating the links between pain, somatisation, and emotional awareness in a nonclinical population of 445 children aged 6–10. Assessing pain through the Children's Somatisation Inventory (CSI), a very high percentage of the entire sample complained of experiencing pain at least one site (84.07%) over the preceding 2 weeks. Although no difference in the prevalence of pain (whole) was found when the sample was subdivided by Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale-Children (LEAS-C), a relationship between low level of LEAS-Self and prevalence of headache (H) was detected (χ2=7.69, p=0.02). LEAS (Self) was correlated with the intensity of back pain (BP) (r=-0.12; p< 0.05), H (r=-0.12; p< 0.05) but not with abdominal pain (AP). Pain worsened QoL, and the greatest negative correlation with total KidScreen-10 was found for abdominal pain (r=-0.14; p< 0.01). Our results suggest that low EA is a predictor of somatisation, BP severity, H, and severity of pain in general, but not AP.
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Hamaideh SH. Alexithymia among Jordanian university students: Its prevalence and correlates with depression, anxiety, stress, and demographics. Perspect Psychiatr Care 2018; 54:274-280. [PMID: 28726284 DOI: 10.1111/ppc.12234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of the article is to identify the prevalence, levels, and associated factors of alexithymia among Jordanian university students. DESIGN AND METHODS Using stratified cluster random sampling, data were collected from 492 students using Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). FINDINGS The prevalence of alexithymia, depression, anxiety, and stress were 24.6, 28.5, 38.4, and 22.6%, respectively, and were all higher among females. Alexithymia correlated with five factors: depression, anxiety, stress, female gender, and satisfaction with life. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS There is a need for screening and interventional programs that prevent or alleviate the symptoms of alexithymia, depression, anxiety, and stress among university students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaher H Hamaideh
- Community and Mental Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
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14
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Bruce BK, Weiss KE, Harrison TE, Allman DA, Petersen MA, Luedkte CA, Fischer PR. Interdisciplinary Treatment of Maladaptive Behaviors Associated with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS): A Case Report. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 2018; 23:147-59. [PMID: 26538160 DOI: 10.1007/s10880-015-9438-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) in adolescents and young adults has been increasing during the past decade. Despite this increase, documentation regarding treatment of these patients is just beginning to emerge. In addition, despite a call for a multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary approach, no studies have examined the efficacy of such an approach to treatment. This paper describes a case study of a 19-year-old male with debilitating POTS seen at a tertiary clinic for evaluation and subsequent intensive interdisciplinary treatment. The treatment approach is described and outcomes are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara K Bruce
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA.
| | - Karen E Weiss
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Daniel A Allman
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Matthew A Petersen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Connie A Luedkte
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Philip R Fischer
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Natalucci G, Faedda N, Calderoni D, Cerutti R, Verdecchia P, Guidetti V. Headache and Alexithymia in Children and Adolescents: What Is the Connection? Front Psychol 2018; 9:48. [PMID: 29449820 PMCID: PMC5799825 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Headache is one of the most common complaints in children and adolescents and comorbidity rates are very high and the major associated diseases are depression, anxiety, atopic disorders, sleep, and behavioral disorders. In recent years, it has been highlighted that difficulties regulating emotions such as alexithymia have also been associated with diagnosis of somatization. Methods: We carried out a mini review analyzing the relation between alexithymia and primary headache (e.g., migraine and tension type headache) in children and adolescents by synthesizing the relevant studies in the literature on PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar. Search terms were "alexithymia" combined with the "primary headache," "migraine," "tension type headache," "children," and "adolescents." Results: All analyzed studies found higher levels of alexithymia in children and adolescents with headache than control groups but there are different opinions about the relationship between headache and alexithymia. For example, some studies suggest that the association between headache and alexithymia in children may be due to an incomplete development of emotive competency or a general immature cognitive development, instead other studies found a correlation between headache symptoms, insecure attachment, and alexithymia. There seems to be also differences between children with migraine compared to those with tension type headache (TTH). Conclusion: There are some studies on adults suffering from headache or migraine and alexithymia, but there is only a moderate amount of research on pediatric age with different opinions and theories about this relationship. Further studies on children and adolescents are necessary to effectively understand this relationship and to help children to reduce headache and improve emotional consciousness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Natalucci
- Department of Paediatric and Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Noemi Faedda
- Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Paediatric and Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Dario Calderoni
- Department of Paediatric and Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Cerutti
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Verdecchia
- Department of Paediatric and Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Guidetti
- Department of Paediatric and Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Cerutti R, Spensieri V, Valastro C, Presaghi F, Canitano R, Guidetti V. A comprehensive approach to understand somatic symptoms and their impact on emotional and psychosocial functioning in children. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0171867. [PMID: 28178333 PMCID: PMC5298337 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Somatic symptoms are frequently reported by children with significant impairment in functioning. Despite studies on adult populations that suggest somatic symptoms often co-occur with difficulties in identifying and describing feelings, little research has been done in childhood. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and frequency of somatic symptoms as well as to investigate the functional impairment in children with high number of self reported somatic symptoms versus those with fewer somatic symptoms. Additionally the parental perception of their children's somatic symptoms and functioning was explored. Finally, we explored the direct and indirect effects of difficulties in identifying feelings in predicting somatic symptoms and functional disability among school-aged children. METHODS 356 Italian school-aged children and their mothers participated in this study. Children (mean age = 11.43; SD = 2.41) completed the Children's Somatization Inventory (CSI-24) to assess somatic symptoms, the Functional Disability Inventory (FDI) to assess physical and psychosocial functioning and the Alexithymia Questionnaire for Children (AQC) to evaluate alexithymic features. Mothers completed the parental forms of the CSI and the FDI. RESULTS Among children, 66.3% did not declare somatic symptoms and 33.7% reported one or more somatic symptoms in the last two weeks. A significant positive correlation emerged between children's and mothers' CSI total scores. Both children's and mothers' FDI total scores were significantly correlated with CSI scores. A significant correlation was observed between somatic symptoms and alexithymic features. Furthermore, the data showed that somatic symptoms mediated the relationship between difficulties in identifying feelings and functional impairment. Finally, it was showed that alexithymia facet of difficulty in identifying feelings contributed in large part to the prediction of the somatic symptomatology (b = 0.978, p < 0.001; R2 = 0.164, F(5, 350) = 10.32, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Findings from this study provide evidence that a higher frequency of somatic symptoms is associated with functional disabilities and alexithymic facets in school-aged children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Cerutti
- Department of Dynamic and Clinic Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Valentina Spensieri
- Department of Dynamic and Clinic Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Carmela Valastro
- Department of Dynamic and Clinic Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Presaghi
- Department of Psychology of Developmental and Social Processes, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Canitano
- Division of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Guidetti
- Department of Paediatrics and Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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17
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Emotional Awareness in Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Youth: A Meta-Analytic Review. J Youth Adolesc 2017; 46:687-700. [DOI: 10.1007/s10964-017-0629-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Delhaye M, Orts F, Bury F, Loas G. [The alexithymia questionnaire for children (AQC): Psychometric properties in a sample of 105 adolescents hospitalized in an adolescent psychiatric department]. Encephale 2016; 44:148-151. [PMID: 27745718 DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2016.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Revised: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) is the most widely used measure of alexithymia in non-clinical or clinical populations. The TAS-20 evaluates three dimensions of the alexithymia construct: the difficulty identifying feelings (DIF), the difficulty describing feelings (DDF) and externally oriented thinking (EOT). The TAS-20 is also used in adolescents or children, and the psychometric properties of the scale have not been systematically evaluated in these populations. Recently several studies have shown systematic age differences in the factor structure and a decrease of the quality of the measurement with age. Notably, low reliability measured by the Cronbach α coefficient has been found for the EOT factor. Taking into account the limitations of the TAS-20 in pre-adult populations the Alexithymia Questionnaire for Children (AQC), an adaptation of the TAS-20, has been proposed by a reformulation of the TAS-20 items (Rieffe et al., 2006). Two studies in healthy children found satisfactory psychometric properties with the three-factor structure demonstrating adequate parameters in the confirmatory factorial analyses (CFA). In the two studies low reliabilities of the EOT factor were reported, and recent studies in adolescents using the TAS-20 found that a two-factor model (DDF, DIF) had a better fit than the original three-factor model. Thus, the aim of the present study was firstly to verify the psychometric properties of the AQC in a sample of adolescents presenting various psychiatric disorders and secondly to test the adequacy of the bi- or tridimensional model of the scale. METHOD One hundred and five adolescents (27 males, 78 females) with a mean age of 15.06 years (sd=1.55, range: 12-18 years) were hospitalized in the adolescent psychiatric department of the Erasme Hospital (Bruxelles, Belgium) for various psychiatric disorders. The main diagnoses were: adjustment disorder (n=56, 53.5%), mood or anxiety disorders (n=17, 16.2%), impulse control disorder (n=11, 10.5%). The subjects completed the French version of the AQC. CFA were done testing the adequacy of the three or two-factor structure of the scale. Two indices were considered: the normed χ2 (ratio of χ2 and degrees of freedom) and the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA). The values for acceptable fit were normed χ2<3 and RMSEA<0.05. Cronbach α were also calculated. RESULTS Fit indices for the three-factor model were respectively 1.165 and 0.0303 for the normed χ2 and RMSEA. For the two-factor model, the values were respectively 0.819 and 0. Thus, these two well-fitting models were compared using the χ2-difference test, which indicated a significantly better fit for the two-factor model over the three-factor model (χ2-difference=151.447, delta df=114, P<0.05). The values of the Cronbach α coefficients were respectively 0.72, 0.75, 0.18 for DIF, DDF and EOT subscales. Moreover, the values of the Cronbach α coefficients were respectively 0.71 and 0.83 for the full scale and the scale without the EOT items. CONCLUSION The Alexithymia Questionnaire for Children had satisfactory psychometric properties found in a sample of adolescent psychiatric inpatients. Taking into account firstly the superiority of the two-factor model over the classical three-factor model and secondly the low value of the Cronbach α for the EOT factor, it is proposed to use only the twelve-item scale by excluding the EOT items.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Delhaye
- Department of adolescent psychiatry, laboratory of psychiatry research (ULB 266), hôpital Erasme, université libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgique
| | - F Orts
- Department of adolescent psychiatry, laboratory of psychiatry research (ULB 266), hôpital Erasme, université libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgique
| | - F Bury
- Department of adolescent psychiatry, laboratory of psychiatry research (ULB 266), hôpital Erasme, université libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgique
| | - G Loas
- Department of adolescent psychiatry, laboratory of psychiatry research (ULB 266), hôpital Erasme, université libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgique.
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Cerutti R, Valastro C, Tarantino S, Valeriani M, Faedda N, Spensieri V, Guidetti V. Alexithymia and psychopathological symptoms in adolescent outpatients and mothers suffering from migraines: a case control study. J Headache Pain 2016; 17:39. [PMID: 27093870 PMCID: PMC4837193 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-016-0640-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Headache is a common disorder affecting a growing number of children and adolescents. In recent years, there has been an increase in scientific interest in exploring the relationship between migraine and emotional regulation, and in particular, the impact of emotional dysregulation on mental and physical health. The present study aims to explore the relationship between migraine and alexithymia among adolescents and their mothers as well as the impact of this association on mental health. An additional aim is to verify whether alexithymia may be a predictor of psychopathological symptoms in adolescents and mothers with migraines. METHODS A total of 212 subjects were involved in this study. The sample was divided into (a) Experimental Group (EG) consisting of 106 subjects (53 adolescents and 53 mothers) with a diagnosis of migraine according to International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) and (b) Control Group (CG) including 106 subjects (53 adolescents and 53 mothers) without a diagnosis of migraine. All participants completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale to assess alexithymia and the Symptom Checklist-90-R to assess psychopathological symptoms. RESULTS Higher rates of alexithymia were found in the adolescents and mothers of the EG in comparison to the adolescents and mothers of the CG. Furthermore, adolescents and mothers experiencing both migraine and alexithymia, demonstrated a higher risk of psychopathology. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this study provide evidence that the co-occurrence of migraine and alexithymia increases the risk of psychopathology for both adolescents and their mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Cerutti
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli, 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Carmela Valastro
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli, 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Samuela Tarantino
- Headeache Center, Division of Neurology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Piazza S.Onofrio, 4, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Valeriani
- Headeache Center, Division of Neurology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Piazza S.Onofrio, 4, Rome, Italy
| | - Noemi Faedda
- Department of Pediatrics and Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sabelli, 108-00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Spensieri
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli, 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Guidetti
- Department of Pediatrics and Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sabelli, 108-00185, Rome, Italy.
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Borhani K, Borgomaneri S, Làdavas E, Bertini C. The effect of alexithymia on early visual processing of emotional body postures. Biol Psychol 2016; 115:1-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2015.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Gaher RM, O'Brien C, Smiley P, Hahn AM. Alexithymia, Coping Styles and Traumatic Stress Symptoms in a Sample of Veterans Who Experienced Military Sexual Trauma. Stress Health 2016; 32:55-62. [PMID: 25393043 DOI: 10.1002/smi.2578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2012] [Revised: 03/23/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The current study examined the association between alexithymia and coping styles (planning, positive reinterpretation and growth, social-emotion coping, and denial), and trauma symptoms in a clinical sample of 170 male and female veterans who experienced sexual trauma during military service. Denial was the only coping style positively associated with trauma symptoms, and it mediated the relationship between alexithymia and trauma symptoms. Alexithymia was negatively associated with planning. Likewise, alexithymia was negatively associated with social-emotional coping and with positive reinterpretation and growth. The results speak to the significant role that alexithymia has in predicting individual coping styles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carol O'Brien
- Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Health Care System, St Petersburg, FL, USA
| | - Paul Smiley
- James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA
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Chio PH, Zaroff CM. Traditional Chinese medicinal herbal tea consumption, self-reported somatization, and alexithymia. Asia Pac Psychiatry 2015; 7:127-34. [PMID: 25355450 DOI: 10.1111/appy.12161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Somatic presentations of distress are common cross-culturally, although perhaps more so in Asian cultures. Somatic presentations of distress may be associated with alexithymia, a difficulty in experiencing and expressing emotions. Although the constructs of somatization and alexithymia have been examined in depth both within and across cultures, there is minimal information on culture-specific behaviors utilized to cope with stress in individuals who tend to somaticize distress or are alexithymic. The current report investigates the association between somatization and alexithymia, and a culture-specific behavior of traditional Chinese medicinal herbal tea consumption, in a nonclinical, young adult sample. METHODS A sample of 222 undergraduate university students of Chinese ethnicity completed self-report measures of somatization and the related construct of somatosensory amplification, alexithymia, and attitude toward the consumption of herbal tea possessing traditional Chinese medicinal value. RESULTS After controlling for gender, alexithymia was significantly correlated with somatization (r[220] = 0.29, P < 0.05) and somatosensory amplification (r[220] = 0.19, P < 0.05). Attitudes toward herbal tea consumption were significantly correlated with somatosensory amplification (r[220] = 0.16, P < 0.05). DISCUSSION The connection between alexithymia and somatization was confirmed in the current report in a nonclinical sample. A culture-specific behavior (consumption of traditional Chinese medicinal herbal tea) was significantly associated with somatosensory amplification. Potential etiologies and implications of the current findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pit Hoi Chio
- Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao, China
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Bruns D, Disorbio JM. The Psychological Evaluation of Patients with Chronic Pain: a Review of BHI 2 Clinical and Forensic Interpretive Considerations. PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURY & LAW 2014; 7:335-361. [PMID: 25478059 PMCID: PMC4242977 DOI: 10.1007/s12207-014-9206-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Pain is the most common reason why patients see a physician. Within the USA, it has been estimated that at least 116 million US adults suffer from chronic pain, with an estimated annual national economic cost of $560-635 billion. While pain is in part a sensory process, like sight, touch, or smell, pain is also in part an emotional experience, like depression, anxiety, or anger. Thus, chronic pain is arguably the quintessential biopsychosocial condition. Due to the overwhelming evidence of the biopsychosocial nature of pain and the value of psychological assessments, the majority of chronic pain guidelines recommend a psychological evaluation as an integral part of the diagnostic workup. One biopsychosocial inventory designed for the assessment of patients with chronic pain is the Battery for Health Improvement 2 (BHI 2). The BHI 2 is a standardized psychometric measure, with three validity measures, 16 clinical scales, and a multidimensional assessment of pain. This article will review how the BHI 2 was developed, BHI 2 concepts, validation research, and an overview of the description and interpretation of its scales. Like all measures, the BHI 2 has strengths and weaknesses of which the forensic psychologist should be aware, and particular purposes for which it is best suited. Guided by that knowledge, the BHI 2 can play a useful role in the forensic psychologist's toolbox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Bruns
- Health Psychology Associates, 1610 29th Avenue Place Suite 200, Greeley, CO 80634 USA
| | - John Mark Disorbio
- Health Psychology Associates, 1610 29th Avenue Place Suite 200, Greeley, CO 80634 USA
- 113 Blue Grouse Road, Evergreen, CO 80634 USA
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24
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Carter SE, Walker RL. Anxiety symptomatology and perceived health in African American adults: moderating role of emotion regulation. CULTURAL DIVERSITY & ETHNIC MINORITY PSYCHOLOGY 2014; 20:307-315. [PMID: 25045943 PMCID: PMC4109000 DOI: 10.1037/a0035343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Although emotional health has been theoretically and empirically linked to physical health, the anxiety-physical health association in particular is not well understood for African American adults. This study examined anxiety as a specific correlate of perceived health in addition to testing the potential moderating role of emotion regulation, an index of how and when individuals modulate emotions, in the association for anxiety to perceived health. Study participants were 151 community-based African American adults who completed measures of anxiety symptomatology and emotion regulation in addition to responding to a self-report question of perceived health. Results showed that higher levels of anxiety symptomatology were associated with poorer health ratings for those who reported more limited access to emotion regulation strategies but not those who reported having more emotion regulation strategies. The findings suggest that anxiety-related distress and health problems may be interrelated when emotion regulation strategies are limited. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved).
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Malkina-Pykh IG. Integrated modelling of alexithymia: psychological predictors and method of response functions. J Health Psychol 2013; 19:887-96. [PMID: 23524991 DOI: 10.1177/1359105313481078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to construct the integrated model of alexithymia (ALEX) based on the method of response function approach that allows to predict the impact of the subjects' psychological variables on the actual level of alexithymia. Extraversion, neuroticism, autonomy, locus of control and hostility were selected as the appropriate predictors of the alexithymia level. Evaluation of ALEX model's parameters and its validation was provided on a wide set of experimental data (N = 224). ALEX model predicts the level of alexithymia satisfactorily and allows obtaining the partial response functions of its psychological predictors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina G Malkina-Pykh
- Research Center for Interdisciplinary Environmental Cooperation (INENCO) of Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federation
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van der Veek SMC, Nobel RA, Derkx HHF. The relationship between emotion awareness and somatic complaints in children and adolescents: Investigating the mediating role of anxiety and depression. Psychol Health 2012; 27:1359-74. [PMID: 22607379 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2012.685738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine if emotion awareness in children and adolescents (age 7-18 years old) is directly related to somatic complaints, and if this relationship holds when considering symptoms of anxiety and depression as mediating factors. A number of questionnaires measuring emotion awareness, symptoms of anxiety and depression and somatic complaints were administered to Dutch schoolchildren (N = 617). A path model was constructed, with the use of structural equation modelling. The results showed that two aspects of emotion awareness (bodily awareness and differentiating between emotions) contributed to the prediction of somatic complaints. However, this was no longer the case when controlling for symptoms of anxiety and depression. Thus, in this study, no direct relation was found between emotion awareness and somatic complaints. Instead, the relation was perfectly mediated by symptoms of anxiety and depression. The results suggest that focusing only on the relation between emotion awareness and somatic complaints is an oversimplified perspective that falls short as a starting point to find therapeutic solutions for children who suffer from somatic complaints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelley M C van der Veek
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, De Bascule, Afdeling O4, Locatie MBD, PA2-225, 1115 ZG Duivendrecht, The Netherlands.
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