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PloS One 2012Alexithymia is characterized by difficulties in identifying, differentiating and describing feelings. A high prevalence of alexithymia has often been observed in... (Review)
Review
Alexithymia is characterized by difficulties in identifying, differentiating and describing feelings. A high prevalence of alexithymia has often been observed in clinical disorders characterized by low social functioning. This review aims to assess the association between alexithymia and the ability to decode emotional facial expressions (EFEs) within clinical and healthy populations. More precisely, this review has four main objectives: (1) to assess if alexithymia is a better predictor of the ability to decode EFEs than the diagnosis of clinical disorder; (2) to assess the influence of comorbid factors (depression and anxiety disorder) on the ability to decode EFE; (3) to investigate if deficits in decoding EFEs are specific to some levels of processing or task types; (4) to investigate if the deficits are specific to particular EFEs. Twenty four studies (behavioural and neuroimaging) were identified through a computerized literature search of Psycinfo, PubMed, and Web of Science databases from 1990 to 2010. Data on methodology, clinical characteristics, and possible confounds were analyzed. The review revealed that: (1) alexithymia is associated with deficits in labelling EFEs among clinical disorders, (2) the level of depression and anxiety partially account for the decoding deficits, (3) alexithymia is associated with reduced perceptual abilities, and is likely to be associated with impaired semantic representations of emotional concepts, and (4) alexithymia is associated with neither specific EFEs nor a specific valence. These studies are discussed with respect to processes involved in the recognition of EFEs. Future directions for research on emotion perception are also discussed.
Topics: Affective Symptoms; Emotions; Facial Expression; Humans; Neuroimaging
PubMed: 22927931
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042429 -
Neurologia Jun 2023Alexithymia is a neuropsychiatric symptom conceptualized as difficulty identifying and describing feelings. Although associated with other non-motor symptoms, mainly...
INTRODUCTION
Alexithymia is a neuropsychiatric symptom conceptualized as difficulty identifying and describing feelings. Although associated with other non-motor symptoms, mainly neuropsychiatric, alexithymia may present as an isolated symptom in persons with Parkinson's Disease (PwP). The objective of the study is to identify determinants of alexithymia and its association with quality of life (QoL) in Parkinson's disease.
METHODS
Subjects with Parkinson's disease were recruited. The following instruments were applied: Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS-20) and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-8). Matched healthy controls were screened using TAS-20. Clinical and demographical variables were compared between alexithymic and non-alexithymic. Regression models were used to find determinants of alexithymia. Impact of alexithymia on QoL was estimated with a linear regression model.
RESULTS
98 patients were included. 56.1% PwP and 28.8% controls were alexithymic (p<0.001). Education level (OR 0.86) and NMSS urinary score (OR 1.09) determined alexithymia as well as TAS-20 score. Alexithymia was an independent determinant of QoL.
CONCLUSIONS
Alexithymia is a prevalent independent non-motor symptom in PwP with impact on QoL. Low education level and urinary symptoms are important determinants of alexithymia.
Topics: Humans; Parkinson Disease; Affective Symptoms; Quality of Life; Mental Status and Dementia Tests; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 37263728
DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2020.10.015 -
Jornal de Pediatria 2022To study the occurrence of alexithymia in obese adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To study the occurrence of alexithymia in obese adolescents.
METHODS
Cross-sectional study with 102 obese adolescents. Sociodemographic, clinical, and psychometric data (alexithymia and binge eating) were analyzed The Brazilian version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and Binge Eating Scale were used for psychometric data collection. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Student's t-test, ANOVA, chi-square, linear regression, and logistic regression. The study was approved by Research Ethics Committee.
RESULTS
A 22% occurrence of alexithymia was observed. Considering the category "possible alexithymia", half of the participants presented some alexithymic behavior. Adolescents with alexithymia had higher binge eating scores (alexithymia 16,2 versus possible alexithymia 11,7 versus no alexithymia 8,5; ANOVA p < 0,0005) and three times more binge eating behavior than adolescents with no alexithymia or possible alexithymia (alexithymia 36.4% versus 17.2% possible alexithymia versus 11.8% no alexithymia; chi-square = 6,2, p = 0.04). In simple linear regression, alexithymia scores were positively associated with binge eating scores (r = 0,4; p = 0,002). Binary logistic regression showed a three times higher probability of an adolescent with severe obesity to meet the criteria for alexithymia.
CONCLUSIONS
There was a 22% occurrence of alexithymia in obese adolescents. It was positively associated with obesity severity and higher binge eating scores, suggesting a relationship between severe obesity, alexithymia, and binge eating behavior.
Topics: Adolescent; Affective Symptoms; Binge-Eating Disorder; Cross-Sectional Studies; Feeding Behavior; Humans; Obesity, Morbid; Pediatric Obesity; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
PubMed: 34273272
DOI: 10.1016/j.jped.2021.06.003 -
Addictive Behaviors Mar 2009All human beings experience emotion. However a number of individuals have difficulties recognising, processing and regulating their emotions. This set of emotional... (Review)
Review
All human beings experience emotion. However a number of individuals have difficulties recognising, processing and regulating their emotions. This set of emotional "deficits' is classified as alexithymia. The prevalence rate of alexithymia in alcohol use disorders is between 45 and 67%. The objective of this paper is to review the published research on alexithymia and alcohol use, assess the methodological quality of this evidence, and draw the findings together to present a critical update on the relationship between alexithymia and alcohol use disorders. Yet, few research studies have comprehensively investigated alexithymia in alcohol use disorders, and a number of key issues still remain to be addressed in exploring the veracity of the link between alexithymia and alcohol use. For example, limited evidence exists regarding the association between alexithymia, alcohol consumption and severity of alcohol dependence. Furthermore, there is no current knowledge about the predictive utility of alexithymia in relation to more well researched and established psychological drinking constructs. Although alexithymia is often considered a risk factor for the development of alcohol use disorders, there is little evidence to support this notion. Given that alexithymia may have the potential to interfere with treatment outcomes, a better understanding of the role of alexithymia in alcohol use is needed.
Topics: Affective Symptoms; Alcohol-Related Disorders; Female; Humans; Male; Psychometrics; Risk Factors
PubMed: 19010601
DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2008.10.016 -
PloS One 2022Emotion-related hyperarousal is an important core pathology of poor sleep. Studies investigating the interplay of alexithymia and affective experiences in determining...
OBJECTIVES
Emotion-related hyperarousal is an important core pathology of poor sleep. Studies investigating the interplay of alexithymia and affective experiences in determining sleep quality have yielded mixed results. To disentangle the inconsistency, this study examined the concurrent predictive power of alexithymia, and negative and positive affect, while incorporating interoceptive sensibility (IS) as a possible moderator.
METHODS
A sample of 224 (70.10% were female) participants completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), and Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (for controlling response bias) using paper and pencil. A two-stage cluster analysis of the MAIA was used to capture IS characteristics. Stepwise regression was conducted separately for each IS cluster.
RESULTS
A three-group structure for IS characteristics was found. Higher alexithymia was predictive of poor sleep quality in the low IS group, while higher negative affect predicted poor sleep quality in the moderate and high IS groups. Additionally, alexithymia and positive affect were significantly different in the three IS groups, while negative affect and sleep quality were not.
CONCLUSIONS
Emotion and cognitive arousal may impact sleep quality differently in individuals with different levels of internal focusing ability, depending on physiological versus emotional self-conceptualization. The implications on pathological research, clinical intervention, study limitations and future directions are discussed.
Topics: Affective Symptoms; Arousal; Emotions; Female; Humans; Male; Sleep Quality
PubMed: 36191028
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275359 -
Clinical Psychology Review Jul 2023The present meta-analytic study examined the association between alexithymia and psychoactive substance use. Studies published from 1988 to August 20, 2022 were... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The present meta-analytic study examined the association between alexithymia and psychoactive substance use. Studies published from 1988 to August 20, 2022 were identified by a systematic search and 168 eligible studies were included in five meta-analyses. Results showed that (1) the correlation between substance use and alexithymia is small but significant (r = 0.177); (2) substance users have substantially higher alexithymia than nonusers (g = 0.545); (3) alexithymic participants have significantly but slightly higher levels of substance use than non-alexithymics (g = 0.242); (4) substance users are significantly but only slightly more likely to be alexithymic than nonusers (OR = 2.392); and (5) alexithymic individuals are not more likely to be substance users than non-alexithymics. Larger effects were observed among samples diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD), and the use of depressants, alcohol, opiates, and illicit stimulants had stronger relation to alexithymia. We found a tendency for a larger association with problematic use as compared to other indicators (e.g., frequency and duration) of substance use. Among the components of alexithymia, difficulties in identifying feelings has the strongest association with substance use. Our findings support clinical practice by suggesting the improvement of emotion regulation in SUD.
Topics: Humans; Affective Symptoms; Emotions; Substance-Related Disorders; Emotional Regulation; Ethanol
PubMed: 37290244
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2023.102297 -
Indian Journal of Dental Research :... 2021To show the association between dental neglect and alexithymia among adult dental patients.
AIMS
To show the association between dental neglect and alexithymia among adult dental patients.
SETTINGS AND DESIGN
At times, certain individuals with dental neglect may experience trouble in communicating and/or understanding information, ability to identify, and describe their feelings termed as alexithymia. Hence, recognition of alexithymia in a dental setting is important, because it worsens the dentist-patient relationship, especially among patients who neglect their dental health. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adult patients (≥20 years). Patients received a questionnaire assessing dental neglect [six-item Dental Neglect Scale (DNS)], alexithymia [20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20)], and demographic profile.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
Data were analyzed with standard statistical software (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 22). P <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
A total sample of 1067 individuals comprising 553 (51.8%) females and 514 (48.2%) males with a mean age 35.33 ± 11.49 years participated in the study. Our findings showed that females had higher mean scores for both DNS and total TAS-20 and its factors. With increase in age and education, the mean scores of the DNS had significantly increased and mean scores of total TAS-20 and its factors had decreased with increase in age and education.
CONCLUSION
The above study findings have supported the hypothesis that there is no association between dental neglect and alexithymia among adult dental patients.
Topics: Adult; Affective Symptoms; Cross-Sectional Studies; Educational Status; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
PubMed: 35645067
DOI: 10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_492_18 -
The American Journal on Addictions Nov 2020Exposure to early-life trauma may lead to maladaptive characteristics such as alexithymia, and thus to poorer emotional regulation. This relationship may also be...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Exposure to early-life trauma may lead to maladaptive characteristics such as alexithymia, and thus to poorer emotional regulation. This relationship may also be influenced by exposure to substances prenatally. We hypothesized that increased alexithymia would be seen in those with prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE). Additionally, we hypothesized that early-life trauma would be associated with alexithymia, and that alexithymia would be associated with poor emotional reappraisal and emotional suppression.
METHODS
A moderated mediation model was developed to examine whether the hypothesized indirect relationship between trauma and emotional reappraisal through alexithymia was different in young adults with and without PCE (Total N = 57). Thirty-seven young adults with PCE and 20 with no such exposure, all of whom were members of a longitudinal cohort, were recruited for the study, and data concerning childhood trauma, alexithymia, and emotional regulation were collected. Intercorrelations were performed between the scores on each measure and moderated mediation models were constructed separately with emotional neglect or emotional abuse as the independent variable and emotional reappraisal or emotional suppression as the dependent variable.
RESULTS
PCE status was associated with alexithymia, and alexithymia mediated the relationship between emotional neglect and emotional reappraisal in individuals with PCE but not those without.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that alexithymia is a mechanism underlying poor use of emotional reappraisal in PCE individuals.
SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE
Individuals with early-life trauma and substance exposure may represent a vulnerable population, and alexithymia may play a key role in the development of emotional regulation skills in this population. (Am J Addict 2020;29:492-499).
Topics: Adult; Affective Symptoms; Child; Child Abuse; Cocaine; Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; Emotional Regulation; Female; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Models, Psychological; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Psychological Trauma; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vulnerable Populations; Young Adult
PubMed: 32436341
DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13056 -
International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2022Psoriasis is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory disease with a high risk of developing mental health difficulties.
BACKGROUND
Psoriasis is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory disease with a high risk of developing mental health difficulties.
OBJECTIVE
The purposes of the study were to evaluate in moderate-to-severe psoriasis (a) the prevalence of depression and psychopathology, (b) the relationship between depression, psychopathology symptoms, and alexithymia, including its three dimensions, difficulty in identifying feelings (DIF), difficulty in describing feelings (DDF), and externally oriented thinking (EOT), and (c) to establish a novel index for the development of depression according to patients' psychopathological profile.
METHODS
In 104 patients, alexithymia was evaluated with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), depression with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and psychopathology with the Brief Symptom Inventory SCL-90 (SCL90). A psychopathology index that combines information from the BDI and SCL90 scales was constructed and the performance of the index with alexithymia was examined.
RESULTS
Female patients and active smokers score higher on BDI and SCL90 scales. Overweight patients tend to score arithmetically higher. The psychopathology index developed correlates significantly with age, DIF, DDF, and TAS-20. DIF, DDF, and TAS-20 are significant predictors of the psychopathology index. Patients with alexithymia/possible alexithymia are six times as likely to score higher in one of the psychopathology scales.
CONCLUSIONS
Alexithymia is a significant factor in the development of psychopathology in psoriasis patients. The use of the proposed novel psychopathology index could be essential in order to identify patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis who are more likely to experience depression and psychopathology. This could have an impact on the decision-making of psoriasis treatment and monitoring of the patient.
Topics: Affective Symptoms; Female; Humans; Mental Disorders; Prognosis; Psoriasis; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
PubMed: 35409713
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074029 -
International Journal of Environmental... Apr 2022The literature has long highlighted the benefits of sport, but too much sport could indicate a dependence without a substance, namely exercise dependence. The literature...
The literature has long highlighted the benefits of sport, but too much sport could indicate a dependence without a substance, namely exercise dependence. The literature has only recently investigated this issue and therefore several questions are open, particularly with regard to psychopathological significance and gender differences. The aim of this paper is to investigate whether young subjects (M = 20 years) with a risk of exercise dependency and non-dependent symptomatic display other behavioural and psychological suffering and discomforts, or whether such an investment in physical activity is compatible with a framework of relative well-being; and if there are differences related to gender. A total of 396 subjects were involved in this study. Exercise Dependence Scale, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Subjective Happiness Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale and an ad hoc questionnaire with information relating to the consumption of alcohol, soft and hard drugs, quality of sleep and nutrition, affective and friendship relationships, hobbies, presence of psychological or physical disorders, motivations for sporting activity, and any traumatic experiences were used. With regard to the Exercise Dependence Scale (EDS), the prevalence of subjects at risk of exercise dependence was 1.5% and that of non-dependents symptomatic was 31.3%. Considering only men, the percentage of subjects at risk of exercise dependence rose to 3% and that of non-dependents symptomatic to 47.9%. Our data support the hypothesis that the risk of exercise dependence and the symptomatic condition without dependence can occur in situations of relative well-being (happiness, satisfaction, relationships) without significant associations with other problematic behaviours. Modest consumption of soft drugs is reported in non-dependent symptomatic subjects. The hypothesis of increased levels of alexithymia is confirmed but limited to the male gender. Gender differences are confirmed in the frequency and motivation to practice sport and in the risk of dependence. It is important that the assessment of addiction risk is integrated with the assessment of alexithymia and personal and social resources over time.
Topics: Affective Symptoms; Exercise; Humans; Male; Sex Factors; Sports; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 35564683
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095288