Beyond sleepless nights: Unraveling the complexity of alexithymia and suicide risk among university students.

BACKGROUND: There is a solid relationship between alexithymia and suicide risk. Nonetheless, the specific impact of alexithymia's distinct subscales on suicide risk has received the attention it deserves. This article presents a comprehensive exploration of suicide risk among university students, focusing on the interconnections among alexithymia, insomnia, and suicidal behavior. Three components of alexithymia including difficulties in describing emotions or feelings (DDF), difficulties in identifying emotions or feelings (DIF), and the externally oriented thinking were considered. METHODS: The study involved 208 participants from a Persian university sample, examining the significance of incorporating both alexithymia and insomnia in suicide risk assessment and intervention planning. Insomnia was positioned as a pivotal mediator. A secure electronic link in the Telegram application was employed to collect the data. Both linear and nonlinear prediction models were used to explore potential associations among alexithymia, insomnia, and suicide risk. RESULTS: The study revealed substantial positive correlations between alexithymia and suicide risk, as well as between insomnia and suicide risk. Additionally, specific components of alexithymia exhibited noteworthy links to suicide risk. The inclusion of insomnia scores in suicide risk predictions is critical, as it greatly enhances the precision of risk assessments and facilitates the design of targeted and effective therapeutic interventions. The association between alexithymia and suicide risk showed a significant relationship (r = .29, p < .01). Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between alexithymia and insomnia (r = .32, p < .01). Additionally, insomnia exhibited a significant positive correlation with suicide (r = .35, p < .01). Interestingly, DDF and DIF showed positive correlations with suicide (r = .28, p < .01; r = .33, p < .01). CONCLUSION: The findings carry profound implications for suicide prevention efforts, providing valuable insights to safeguard the well-being and resilience of university students facing suicide risk challenges.

Alexithymia and Quality of Life in Saudi Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Community-Based Study.

BACKGROUND The endocrine metabolic disorder polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is quite common among women. Women with PCOS show a compromised health-related quality of life (HRQoL), impaired emotional well-being, and alexithymia, a neuropsychological phenomenon conceptualized as difficulty in recognizing and expressing one's emotions. However, the relationship between alexithymia and HRQoL in women with PCOS is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of alexithymia on HRQoL in women with PCOS in Saudi Arabia. MATERIAL AND METHODS This descriptive cross-sectional, community-based study enrolled 518 female patients with a diagnosis of PCOS from all age groups. The patients were surveyed via a self-administered questionnaire from December 2022 to January 2023. The survey encompassed sociodemographic data, the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and HRQoL 15-dimensional scale (15D). RESULTS This study included 320 participants (61.8%) with alexithymia. A significant association was found between alexithymia and low HRQoL 15D scores in patients with PCOS. Specifically, scores on the TAS-20 subscales related to difficulty in identifying feelings and describing feelings were positively correlated with HRQoL (P=0.000). However, externally oriented thinking subscale scores were not positively correlated with HRQoL (P=0.44). CONCLUSIONS The presence of alexithymia is associated with poor HRQoL in women with PCOS, which is more pronounced among those who received a diagnosis ≥4 years ago. Alexithymia must be considered when assessing the HRQoL of patients with PCOS, considering the relatively high prevalence of alexithymia in these patients.

Alexithymia as a mediator of the associations between child maltreatment and internalizing and externalizing behaviors in adolescence.

Child maltreatment is a global concern that profoundly affects individuals throughout their lives. This study investigated the relationships between various forms of child maltreatment and behavior problems involving internalization and externalization during adolescence. Data obtained from a diverse sample of 1802 Canadians aged 14-18 years was used to examine the mediating role of alexithymia-a difficulty in recognizing and expressing emotions-in these associations. Results indicated that adolescents who experienced sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) in their childhood exhibited higher levels of alexithymia, which was correlated with elevated levels of both internalizing and externalizing problems. Physical abuse and parental neglect were only associated with externalizing problems. Gender differences also emerged, with gender-diverse adolescents reporting a higher prevalence of maltreatment, alexithymia, and behavior problems compared with their peers. However, alexithymia's mediating role was consistent across genders. Overall, this study highlights the intricate relationships between child maltreatment, alexithymia, and adolescent behavior problems. The findings of this study how different forms of child maltreatment significantly shape behavioral outcomes and indicate the importance of interventions in enhancing emotional awareness and expression in adolescents with a childhood history of maltreatment.

Alexithymia in gaming addiction and engagement.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that alexithymia plays a significant role in substance and behavioral addictions. However, only a handful of studies investigated this construct in relation to gaming addiction, and no study analyzed its differential effect on gaming engagement and addiction. METHODS: A total of u adult gamers (Mage = 26.04, SD = 5.78, 94 % male) completed a questionnaire that included the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (and its subscales of difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings, and externally oriented thinking), the Addiction-Engagement Questionnaire, and additional questions about gender, age, and time spent gaming. Structural equation modeling was used as the main analytical strategy. RESULTS: Difficulty identifying feelings (ß = 0.28) and externally oriented thinking (ß = 0.19) showed a significant positive effect on gaming addiction. Contrary to addiction, externally oriented thinking showed a significant negative effect (ß = -0.21) on gaming engagement. No other alexithymia subscales were significant. The model with alexithymia explained 32.7 % of the variance in gaming addiction while only 10.4 % of gaming engagement. CONCLUSIONS: Alexithymia is a strong predictor of gaming addiction. Gaming engagement seems to be a qualitatively different phenomenon that shows an opposite association with alexithymia than gaming addiction. However, both are related to increased time spent gaming. This suggests a need to distinguish between problematic vs. non-problematic excessive gaming as they have different associations with affect dysregulation.

Investigating the role of alexithymia in the association between cumulative childhood maltreatment and teen dating violence victimization.

BACKGROUND: Childhood maltreatment is increasingly recognized as an important risk factor for teen dating violence (TDV) victimization. However, far too little research has studied the mechanisms that could explain this higher risk of revictimization. The present study investigated the role of alexithymia in the association between cumulative childhood maltreatment, TDV victimization occurrence and chronicity, and TDV-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. METHODS: A total of 2780 adolescents, aged 13 to 19, completed measures of childhood maltreatment and alexithymia at Time 1 and TDV victimization and TDV-related PTSD symptoms at Time 2 (6 months later). Two mediational models were tested to examine the role of alexithymia as a risk factor for revictimization. One model assessed TDV occurrence as an outcome, while the other explored TDV chronicity and TDV-related PTSD symptoms as outcomes. RESULTS: Findings suggest that cumulative childhood maltreatment is associated with an increased probability of TDV occurrence through alexithymia. Cumulative childhood maltreatment and alexithymia are also associated with TDV chronicity and TDV-related PTSD symptoms. Notably, cumulative childhood maltreatment is associated with higher levels of alexithymia among adolescent victims of TDV, which, in turn, predicts higher TDV chronicity and TDV-related PTSD symptoms. LIMITATIONS: This study relied on abbreviated measures and did not include all forms of child maltreatment (e.g., emotional and physical neglect). CONCLUSIONS: Promoting emotional awareness and identification among youth victims of child maltreatment could reduce the risk of TDV occurrence, TDV chronicity, and TDV-related PTSD symptoms.

[Alexithymia and self-harm in people with borderline personality disorder]. / Aleksitimiya i samopovrezhdayushchee povedenie u lits s pogranichnym rasstroistvom lichnosti.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of alexithymia and self-harm in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). To assess the role of alexithymia in the emergence of self-harm in patients with BPD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 104 patients (85 women, 19 men aged 21 to 25 years (64.4%)), including 54 patients with and 50 patients without BPD. Most of them had incomplete higher education (55%). We used the Russian version of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) to reveal alexithymia and SCID-II to diagnose BPD. The presence of self-harm behavior was confirmed by the subjects' anamnesis data. RESULTS: The prevalence of alexithymia in patients with BPD was 83.3%, in the control group it was 52% (p=0.001). The prevalence of self-aggression was 70.3% (n=38) in patients with BPD, and 12% (n=6) in people without BPD. Self-harm among persons with alexithymia was noted in 62.5% (n=45). During the analysis, a connection between auto-aggression and alexithymia was found at the level of a statistical trend (p=0.051). CONCLUSION: Alexithymia and self-harm are more common in patients with BPD than in healthy people. This type of emotional dysregulation mediates self-harm in patients with BPD.

Childhood maltreatment and insomnia in college students: The role of alexithymia and psychological distress.

Insomnia, which is highly prevalent among college students, has been identified as one of the negative consequences of childhood maltreatment. While prior studies have uncovered distinct correlations between childhood maltreatment, insomnia, and other variables, the potential underlying mechanisms need to be further explored. This study focused on the chain-mediating role of alexithymia and psychological distress in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and insomnia. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among Chinese college students, yielding 999 valid questionnaires that included demographic information, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). A chain-mediating model was then tested. The results revealed significant positive correlations between each pair of the four variables. Alexithymia and psychological distress separately mediated the link between childhood maltreatment and insomnia (effect of alexithymia was 0.06 with 95 % CI [0.03, 0.09]; effect of psychological distress was 0.24 with 95 % CI [0.19, 0.29]). Additionally, a chain-mediating effect of alexithymia and psychological distress was observed (chain-mediating effect was 0.12 with 95 % CI [0.09, 0.15]). The findings suggest that emotional interventions may mitigate the long-term effect of childhood maltreatment on sleep problems among college students, by improving the ability to recognize emotions and decreasing emotional problems.

2D:4D ratio, alexithymia, impulsivity, aggression, and ADHD in men with opioid and methamphetamine use disorders: A comparative analysis with healthy controls.

Substance use disorder is an important mental health problem with increasing frequency. This study aims to investigate the 2D:4D ratio, Dr-I values (right-left differences), alexithymia, aggression, impulsivity, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in male patients with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD), opioid use disorder (OUD), and healthy controls. The study included a total of 57 male patients diagnosed with OUD, 42 male patients diagnosed with MUD, and 72 healthy male controls. The study indicated that the OUD and MUD patients were significantly different from the healthy controls in terms of the 2D:4D ratio, alexithymia, impulsivity, aggression, and ADHD. Compared to healthy controls, 2D:4D ratios, and Dr-I values were lower in OUD and MUD patients. OUD and MUD patients had higher scores of alexithymia, impulsivity, aggression, and ADHD compared to healthy controls. There were statistically significant negative correlations between the right-hand 2D:4D ratios and the ADHD, impulsivity, alexithymia and aggression scores and a significant negative correlation between Dr-I scores and the impulsivity scores of MUD and OUD patients. These findings contribute to the existing literature examining the complex relationship between prenatal testosterone exposure, substance use disorders and related psychological traits.

Childhood maltreatment and engaging in NSSI for automatic-negative reinforcement: The mediating role of alexithymia and moderating role of help-seeking attitudes.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence indicating that childhood maltreatment is linked to the occurrence of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Nevertheless, the association between childhood maltreatment and the automatic-negative reinforcement aspect of NSSI remains understudied. Chapman's (2006) experiential avoidance model posits that the main factor in sustaining NSSI is negative reinforcement, specifically through the avoidance or escape from distressful emotional experiences. The current study examines a conceptual framework based on this theory and the available literature that explores the potential mediation role of alexithymia in the relation between childhood maltreatment and the automatic-negative reinforcement of NSSI. Additionally, this study investigates how this process may be influenced by individuals' attitudes toward seeking professional help. METHODS: 3657 adolescents (1616 females) completed questionnaires regarding childhood maltreatment, alexithymia, help-seeking attitudes, the NSSI, and its functions. RESULTS: The findings of the study exposed a positive link between childhood maltreatment and the automatic-negative reinforcement of NSSI, with the mediating role of alexithymia. Interestingly, it was unexpected to discover that individuals with high help-seeking attitudes experienced an intensification of the relationship between childhood maltreatment and both alexithymia and the automatic-negative reinforcement of NSSI. LIMITATION: The study's cross-sectional design hindered the inference of causality. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that it is crucial to consider the impact of both alexithymia and help-seeking attitudes in adolescents who have experienced maltreatment. These findings hold implications for preventive interventions that target the reduction of NSSI behaviors driven by automatic-negative reinforcement.

Subscales of alexithymia show unique pathways through reappraisal and suppression to anxiety, depression and stress.

The goal of this work was to explore associations of constituent factors of alexithymia on mental health and potential mediating effects of emotion regulation strategies, specifically suppression and reappraisal. Data were collected through the crowd-sourcing platform Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTURK). Three hundred seventy-seven individuals completed questionnaires related to distress (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales [DASS]), emotion regulation (Emotion Regulation Questionnaire [ERQ]) and Alexithymia (Bermond-Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire [BVAQ]). Three mediation models were constructed for depression, anxiety and stress, with BVAQ subscales (verbalizing, identifying, emotionalizing, fantasizing, and analyzing) as predictors and ERQ subscales (suppression and reappraisal) as mediators. Results indicated 37.3 % variance in depression, 25.2 % variance in anxiety, and 35.3 % variance in stress was explained by each model. Direct associations revealed emotionalizing and fantasizing were negatively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress, while verbalizing was additionally associated with depression, identifying was additionally associated with anxiety, and all four BVAQ subscales were associated with stress. BVAQ subscales demonstrated negative associations with reappraisal and positive associations with suppression that mediated anxiety and depression. However, suppression did not mediate relationships between BVAQ subscales with stress. Findings support the importance of examining multiple factors of alexithymia and associations with emotion regulation strategies and distress.

Rates of Emotional Disturbance Among Children in Foster Care: Comparing Federal Child Welfare Data and Medicaid Records in Two States.

The purpose of this study is to estimate the rate of emotional disturbance (ED) among children in foster care and assess the validity of the national foster care census data (AFCARS) measure of ED. This study used linked child protection and Medicaid records from 2014 and 2015, for the states of California and Wisconsin, as well as data from AFCARS, a federal population census of children in foster care which states are mandated to contribute to. ED is defined by AFCARS and includes an array of mental and behavioral health diagnoses. According to AFCARS, 13% of CA children in foster care and 15% of WI children in foster care had an ED, whereas Medicaid claims produce rates of 45% and 48%, respectively. Rates of ED among children in congregate care were underestimated by 43-46 percentage points, with substantial proportions having diagnoses of disruptive behavioral disorders. Despite the AFCARS ED measure being cited in congressional testimonies and its wide use in research, results from this study suggest that the AFCARS ED estimates are an unreliable metric for use in research, policy, or practice.

Connected minds in disconnected bodies: Exploring the role of interoceptive sensibility and alexithymia in problematic use of the internet.

INTRODUCTION: The ever-increasing prominence of the internet and digital technology in our society requires a deeper examination of how these developments alter perception of our bodies and emotions. One such consequence is the emergence of Problematic Use of the Internet (PUI) - an array of compulsive or addictive behaviors mediated by the web that detrimentally affect an individual's functioning. This suggests that some people may be shifting their consciousness from the physical realm to the digital world. The objective of this study was to investigate how shortcomings in interoception (the sensibility to bodily signals) and alexithymia (an inability to identify and express emotions) might contribute to PUI. METHODS: The Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) were used to assess a sample of 1076 adolescents and young adults aged between 16 and 26 years via an online survey. Data analysis was based on t-test, correlations and multivariate regression. RESULTS: 26.8% (n = 288) of participants met the criteria for moderate PUI. Individuals with PUI displayed higher levels of alexithymia (p < 0.001) and diminished abilities in certain aspects of interoceptive sensibility, including placing trust in their own bodily signals (p = 0.006), not responding excessively to uncomfortable sensations with worry (p < 0.001), and not denying them (p = 0.006). Multivariate modelling revealed associations between PUI and the following factors: having a boyfriend/girlfriend (aOR = 5.70), substance use (aOR = 1.78), difficulty in identifying feelings (aOR = 1.09), externally oriented thinking (aOR = 1.05), low disposition in perceiving body sensations (aOR = 0.25), tendency to become distracted (aOR = 0.82) or excessively worried (aOR = 0.11) in the face of pain. Furthermore, the analysis indicated how these aspects of body perception may be interrelated, either enhancing or reducing the risk of PUI when examined individually, collectively, or in combination. CONCLUSIONS: This study underlines the potential connection between difficulties in the mind-body interaction and the development of PUI. It suggests a bidirectional relationship between excessive digital device use and distorted bodily interoceptive processes in PUI, reinforcing the notion that individuals struggling with emotion identification and expression may be more prone to excessive internet usage. To further comprehend the relevance of these constructs in PUI, it is necessary to conduct more targeted investigations and longitudinal studies.

Association between alexithymia, emotional intelligence, smoking addiction, and alcohol use disorder among a sample of Lebanese adults.

BACKGROUND: Alexithymia can be associated with worse addictive traits, while emotional intelligence is associated with better addictive outcomes. In Lebanon, the prevalence of cigarette and waterpipe smoking is on the rise, although people are aware of the associated harms. Also, around 11% of Lebanese adults have experienced alcohol use disorder (AUD). This study aimed to assess the association between alexithymia, emotional intelligence, smoking (cigarette and waterpipe), and AUD among a sample of Lebanese adults. METHODS: A web-based cross-sectional study carried out between February and April 2020, during the lockdown period, enrolled 408 community-dwelling adults. The survey link was shared on social media to reach participants from all Lebanese districts/governorates. RESULTS: Taking antidepressants (Beta = 4.37) was significantly associated with more cigarette dependence, while female gender (Beta = -1.52) and having a high vs. low monthly income (Beta = 1.02) were significantly associated with less cigarette dependence. None of the variables, including alexithymia, were significantly associated with waterpipe dependence. Female gender (Beta = -0.15) and higher emotional intelligence (Beta = -0.003) were significantly associated with less AUD, whereas higher alexithymia (Beta = 0.003) was significantly associated with more AUD. CONCLUSION: This study could demonstrate a significant association between alexithymia and cigarette smoking and alexithymia and alcohol consumption. Future research is warranted to investigate the mediating effect of emotional intelligence and how these results may be used to meet the needs of alexithymic individuals with addictions.

FEATURES OF AFFECTIVE SYMPTOMS IN COMBATANTS WITH NON-PSYCHOTIC MENTAL DISORDERS THAT HAVE SUFFERED FROM COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To establish the level of anxiety and depressive disorders and the impact of covid-19 on affective pathology in combatants with non-psychotic mental disorders who have suffered from COVID-19 in a comparative aspect. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: 252 male combatants with non-psychotic mental disorders who suffered from COVID-19 were clinically examined using HRDS and HARS scales. RESULTS: Results: A lower prevalence of anxiety or fear was found in combatants who did not have COVID-19: 70.5% vs. 80.8%; low mood - 55.3% vs. 66.7%; emotional lability - 44.7% vs. 58.3%; irritability - 40.9% vs. 55.0%; emotional sensitivity - 53.0% vs. 71.7%; dulling of emotions - 6.8% vs. 6.7%; anhedonia - 77.3% vs. 83.3% of patients, rapid fatigue - 51.5% vs. 65.8%, feelings of guilt, futility, anxiety or fear - 78.0% vs. 87.5%, dissomnia - 47.0% vs. 61.7%; inability to concentrate and make decisions - 25.8% vs. 43.3%; thoughts of death or suicide - 25.0% vs. 35.8% pessimism - 21.2% vs. 31.7%, low self-esteem - 21.2% vs. 31.7%, unstable appetite and weight loss-17.4% vs. 24.2%. The overall HDRS depression score in combatants with non-psychotic mental disorders who did not have COVID-19 was also significantly lower: 15.29±4.16 points vs. 18.05±4.29 points. Similar patterns were found for indicators of anxiety on the HARS scale: 20.52±7.14 points vs. 24.53±6.69 points. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Combatants with non-psychotic mental disorders are characterized by high levels of depressive and anxiety disorders. COVID-19 disease aggravates the course of affective pathology in combatants with non-psychotic mental disorders and increases the incidence of their depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Press Play to Feel: The Role of Attachment Styles and Alexithymic Features in Problematic Gaming.

Problematic gaming has been consistently associated with insecure attachment styles and alexithymia. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the impact of specific alexithymic features and insecure attachment styles on problematic gaming. The study included a sample of 358 online game players (242 males, 67.6%) between the ages of 18 and 59 (M = 28.46; SD = 8.76) who were recruited from online gaming communities. The participants completed a sociodemographic schedule and measures on attachment styles, alexithymia, and problematic gaming. The results provide evidence for a positive prediction of problematic gaming by dismissing attachment style and the alexithymic factors concerning the difficulty identifying feelings and externally oriented thinking, even when controlling for potentially confounding factors, such as age, sex, education, marital status, and self-reported time devoted to online games. Additionally, the analysis revealed a significant interaction effect between externally oriented thinking and dismissing attachment style in the prediction of problematic gaming. The interaction implies that the alexithymia factors pertaining to externally oriented thinking hold significant relevance in predicting problematic gaming behaviors, especially in cases where dismissive attachment levels are moderately to highly present. These findings emphasize the significance of considering specific insecure attachment styles and alexithymic features when studying problematic gaming behaviors.

Effects of attachment styles, childhood traumas, and alexithymia in Turkish patients with epilepsy and functional seizures.

INTRODUCTION: In this cross-sectional study, we used self-report scales to compare childhood traumas, attachment styles, and alexithymia among patients with functional seizures (FS) to patients with epilepsy and healthy controls. We also investigated risk factors associated with FS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 44 patients with epilepsy, 14 patients with FS, and 25 healthy controls were included. All participants were over the age of 18 and were referred to the Baskent University Adana Epilepsy and Video-EEG Center. The patients underwent neurological examinations, brain MRIs, and video-EEG evaluations. Epileptic seizures were classified based on video EEG. The control group consisted of healthy individuals without neurological or psychiatric illness and a history of epileptic seizures or syncope. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Adult Attachment Scale (AAS), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20) were applied to all participants. RESULTS: Patients with FS had lower educational levels, higher rates of unemployment and single-marital status. The FS group had higher depression, childhood trauma, and alexithymia scores than the other groups. Furthermore, FS patients had a higher prevalence of avoidant attachment. The alexithymia and childhood trauma scores were both correlated with depression. Through the logistic regression analysis, childhood trauma scores and alexithymia were significant risk factors for FS. CONCLUSION: The use of video-EEG for diagnosing FS can reduce the risk of misdiagnosis and inappropriate antiepileptic treatment. Psychiatric comorbidities, childhood traumas, and alexithymia are prevalent in patients with FS. Therefore, implementing a multidisciplinary treatment approach that addresses the psychological, medical, and social aspects of FS can significantly improve outcomes.

The relationship between alexithymia, emotion regulation, and sleep problems in school-aged children: A multicentric study.

OBJECTIVES: Alexithymia, mood dysregulation, and sleep quality have complicated effects on children's development. The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between alexithymia, emotion regulation, psychiatric problems, and sleep problems among Egyptian school-aged children. METHODS: A total of 564 Egyptian children, aged 6 to 14, were divided into two groups based on their total Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire abbreviated score: group 1 (N = 300) with sleep problems and group 2 (N = 264) with non-sleep problems. Their parents completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and subjectively assessed the children's emotions using the Children's Alexithymia Measure (CAM) and the Clinical Evaluation of Emotional Regulation-9 (CEER-9). RESULTS: Males were more proportional in the sleep problems group than others. The sleep problem group was significantly younger and had a longer daily sleep duration than the non-sleep problem group. Alexithymia and emotion dysregulation had the highest mean in the sleep problem group. Furthermore, alexithymia, emotion dysregulation, emotion difficulty, conduct, and prosocial problems were the most significant contributing factors and risk factors for sleep problems in children. CONCLUSION: Sleep problems in children were associated with younger male children with lengthy daily sleep duration and emotional, behavioural, and prosocial difficulties. Furthermore, alexithymia and emotion dysregulation are significant contributors and risk factors for sleep problems in school-aged children.

The associations of parental attitudes and peer bullying with alexithymia in adolescents: A structural equality model.

AIM: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between parental attitude and peer bullying and alexithymia in adolescents. METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with adolescents aged 13-18 years within high schools in eastern Turkey. Cluster sampling method was applied, and the study was completed within four high schools determined by random selection method. Sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire form, Peer Bullying Scale Adolescent Form, and Twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) were used to collect the data. RESULTS: Among the adolescents, 52% were female, 60% had a medium income level, 25.3% were in the 11th grade, 83% were living with their parents, 7.4% had chronic illnesses, 9.2% had psychiatric illnesses, 25.3% had suicidal thoughts, 10.1% engaged in suicidal behavior, and 25.3% used TV, smartphones, or tablets for 3-4 h a day. Rejecting and indifferent parental attitudes were found to be a possible risk factor for alexithymia, bullying and victimization. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the connections between parental attitudes, peer bullying, and alexithymia in adolescents. By targeting positive parental attitudes and addressing peer interactions, nurses can effectively contribute to reducing the risk of alexithymia. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Through collaboration with parents, nurses can establish supportive environments that nurture emotional understanding. Remaining attentive to risk factors, such as chronic illnesses and mental health issues in adolescents, empowers nurses to offer timely support or referrals. Partnerships with educators further enhance emotional awareness and encourage positive peer relationships.

Relationship between emotional divorce and alexithymia among married women in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Emotional divorce occurs when a couple continues to live together due to necessity and coercion but they do not have a positive or constructive relationship, which negatively affects the stability of married life. Due to the low social acceptance of a formal divorce in the Saudi society, emotional divorce is common in several families. The rigidity of feelings and emotions within the family and the inability to express them may indicate the presence of alexithymia, which could result in the collapse of the family system and place the people involved at risk of mental health problems such as depression. Therefore, it is important to determine the prevalence of emotional divorce among married women in Saudi Arabia and to examine the relationship between emotional divorce and alexithymia. METHODS: Data were collected from 305 married women in Saudi Arabia (Mage = 33.24 years; SDage = 4.87 years), using the Emotional Divorce Scale and the Alexithymia Scale. RESULTS: Results revealed that 78.36% of the participants experienced moderate to severe levels of emotional divorce. Working women, those who had been married for more than ten years, and those with five or more children exhibited a higher incidence of emotional divorce as compared to their counterparts. A linear regression analysis indicated that alexithymia was significantly associated with emotional divorce in this sample. CONCLUSION: These results suggest the need for examining the negative consequences of emotional divorce on the family and society. Additionally, it is important to educate young individuals of marriageable age about the nature of married life, and ways to deal with problems that occur. Finally, couples should be encouraged to express their positive and negative emotions with their spouse to build the marital relationship, and achieve compatibility and marital satisfaction.

Alexithymia in Chinese patients with chronic schizophrenia: Prevalence, clinical correlates, and relationship with neurocognition and empathy.

INTRODUCTION: Alexithymia is highly prevalent and strongly related to adverse consequences in patients with schizophrenia. However, its associated factors remain largely unexplored. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of alexithymia and its association with sociocultural characteristics, clinical symptoms, neurocognition, and empathy in 854 Chinese patients with schizophrenia. METHOD: Demographic information was collected through a self-designed questionnaire. Alexithymia was assessed by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). We assessed clinical symptoms, neurocognition, and empathy via the following instruments: Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status, and Interpersonal Reactivity Index. A multiple logistic regression model was conducted to determine the independent correlates of alexithymia. RESULTS: Approximately one-third (n = 277, 32%) of patients with schizophrenia had alexithymia. Patients with alexithymia had significantly more severe negative symptoms, neurocognition, and empathy impairment than patients without alexithymia. Being male, negative symptoms, personal distress, empathic concern, and language functioning were independently associated with alexithymia. DISCUSSION: Our findings demonstrate a high prevalence of alexithymia and its strong association with clinical symptoms, neurocognition, and empathy, which calls for timely screening and intervention for alexithymia in patients with schizophrenia. Targeting impaired language function, negative symptoms, and impaired affective empathy might help reduce alexithymia and its related negative consequences.