Interplay between alexithymia, emotion regulation, and positive and negative affect as predictors of gambling and gaming disorders in adolescents and young adults

Introduction/Objectives: Gambling and gaming disorder are usually comorbid addictive behaviours in which alexithymia and emotional regulation have been proved to be of relevance. The present study aimed to analyse the relationship between those variables and their differences depending on the presence or absence of gambling and gaming behaviours. Method: The sample consisted of 1,219 people between 12 and 20 years of age (M = 15.55, SD = 2.07; 51.8% females). Results: The results showed significant differences between players and non-players in gambling disorder, alexithymia and emotional regulation. The findings also indicated that there were differences in alexithymia, emotional regulation, negative affect, gambling disorder and gaming disorder among the different profiles of video game players. The comparison of participants with gaming disorder, gambling disorder, both, or neither of them, showed differences in alexithymia, emotional regulation, negative affect, gambling disorder and gaming disorder. Furthermore, correlations between gambling disorder and age, gaming disorder, negative affect, alexithymia and emotional regulation were found. Similarly, gaming dis-order was associated with gambling disorder, negative affect, alexithymia, emotional regulation and age. Conclusions: The hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated the predictive role of alexithymia and age in gambling disorder as well as the predictive role of age, sex and negative affect in gaming disorder.

Introducción/Objetivos: Los trastornos de juego y videojuego son conductas adictivas habitualmente comórbidas en las que se ha demostrado la relevancia de la alexitimia y la regulación emocional. Este estudio analiza la relación entre dichas variables y sus diferencias en función de la presencia o ausencia de conductas de juego y videojuego. Método: La muestra estuvo formada por 1219 personas de entre 12 y 20 años (M = 15.55, SD = 2.07; 51.8 % mujeres). Resultados: Los resultados mostraron diferencias significativas entre jugadores y no jugadores en el juego patológico, la alexitimia y la regulación emocional. Los resultados también indicaron que había diferencias en alexitimia, regulación emocional, afecto negativo, trastorno de juego y videojuego entre los distintos perfiles de jugadores de videojuegos. La comparación de los participantes con trastorno de juego y videojuego, con ambos o con ninguno de ellos, mostró diferencias en la alexitimia, la regulación emocional, el afecto negativo, el trastorno de juego y videojuego. Además, se encontraron correlaciones entre el juego patológico y la edad, el trastorno por videojuego, el afecto negativo, la alexitimia y la regulación emocional. Del mismo modo, el trastorno por videojuego se asoció con el juego patológico, el afecto negativo, la alexitimia, la regulación emocional y la edad. Conclusiones: Los análisis de regresión jerárquica demostraron el papel predictivo de la alexitimia y la edad en el trastorno de juego y el papel predictivo de la edad, el sexo y el afecto negativo en el trastorno por videojuego.

The relationship between compassion fatigue and workplace psychological violence, alexithymia, and empathy among clinical nurses / 中国职业医学

Objective: To study the relationship between compassion fatigue and workplace psychological violence, alexithymia, and empathy in clinical nurses. Methods: A total of 1 159 clinical nurses from 10 cities in Henan and Fujian Provinces were enrolled using the method of grabbing random balls. Questionnaires including Workplace Psychologically Violent Behaviors Instrument, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Jefferson Scale of Empathy Health Professionals, Professional Quality of Life Scale were used to investigate the status of workplace psychological violence, alexithymia, empathy, and compassion fatigue in participants. Bootstrap analysis was used to analyze the relationship between workplace psychological violence, alexithymia, empathy, and compassion fatigue scores. Results: The average score for workplace psychological violence among clinical nurses was (26.2±6.5), with 405 nurses (34.9%) having experienced workplace psychological violence. The scores for alexithymia, empathy and compassion fatigue were (58.3±12.3), (104.3±18.6) and (48.5±6.7) respectively. Mild compassion fatigue was detected in 34.9% of participants, while moderate to severe compassion fatigue accounted for 48.8%. Bootstrap test result showed that workplace psychological violence had a positive impact on compassion fatigue ［standardized effect value (β)=0.40, 95% confidence interval(CI)： 0.35-0.44］. Workplace psychological violence had separate mediating effects through alexithymia (β=0.15, 95%CI： 0.10-0.19), empathy (β=0.16, 95%CI： 0.10-0.21) , and a chain mediating effect through alexithymia and empathy on compassion fatigue (β=0.06, 95%CI： 0.03-0.09). Conclusion: Compassion fatigue symptoms are relatively common among clinical nurses. Experiencing workplace psychological violence directly affects compassion fatigue and can indirectly affect it through the mediating effects of alexithymia and empathy.

Advances in social cognition of obsessive-compulsive disorder / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

The main clinical features of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are obsessions and/or compulsions. Due to its symptoms are heterogeneous and have a wide range of influences, OCD usually causes different degrees of damage to patients' social functions. Social cognition is the process of perceiving and judging the psychology and behavior of others or oneself. Its core is to understand the information processing process and the underlying mechanism of social psychological phenomena. Studies have shown that social cognitive deficits can affect an individual's social function. Therefore, many scholars believe that the social cognitive function of OCD patients are impaired. Through collecting and sorting out relevant literature, we find that OCD patients can’t perceive social cues accurately, and they have trouble recognizing their own emotions and those of others. In general, they are not prone to emotional response, that is, their ability of emotional experience is impaired, while because of their own emotional regulation dysfunction, they overreact to special events that can induce the obsession and/or compulsion.The patients have poor insight into the mental states of others.The researches on attributions of life events are dificient, so their characteristics of attribution styles are not yet clear.These findings provide a preliminary theoretical basis and reference for the specificity of social cognitive impairment in patients with OCD and for guiding clinical effective and precise intervention.

An eye movement study on attention bias to emotional face of depressed college students with alexithymia / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To explore the characteristics of attentional bias to emotional faces of depressed college students with alexithymia.Methods:Using self-rating depression scale (SDS) and the twenty-item Toronto alexithymia scale(TAS-20), 25 low alexithymic-currently depressed undergraduates (LA-CD group), 33 low alexithymic-non depressed undergraduates(LA-ND group) and 23 high alexithymic-currently depressed undergraduates(HA-CD group) were selected from 885 valid questionnaires.Using eye tracking system, emotional face pictures were selected as stimulus materials, and the relative gaze time(attention bias score) of experimental participants was analyzed by statistical methods such as covariance analysis and adjustment analysis to explore the attentional bias of depressed college students with alexithymia.Results:(1) Under the low level of alexithymia, there was significant difference in attentional bias between college students in depression group (-0.23±0.18) and non-depressed group (0.06±0.11) ( F=55.876, P<0.01). (2) There were significant differences in relative attention bias among LA-CD group (-0.234±0.150), HA-CD group(-0.070±0.153) and LA-ND group (0.064±0.149) ( F(2, 78)=27.685, P<0.01). According to Bonferroni test, compared to the LA-CD group, the HA-CD group and LA-ND group showed less negative attentional bias.(3) The interaction between total SDS score and total TAS-20 score showed significant difference.Alexithymia played a regulatory role between total SDS score and attentional bias( β=0.333, t=3.345, P<0.01). Conclusion:Both the depressed college students with high alexithymia and the non-depressed college students with low alexithymia show less negative attentional bias.Alexithymia plays a regulatory role between depression and attentional bias.

Psiquiatría transcultural y depresión en China: un relato clínico / Cross-cultural psychiatry and depression in the eastern population

El siguiente trabajo presenta la historia de una paciente de 19 años oriunda de China, que cursó una internación en una sala de psiquiatría de un hospital general por un cuadro de características depresivas. El caso es notable por el polimorfismo en la sintomatología clínica que presentó. El objetivo es analizar, a partir de él, la necesidad de un enfoque interdisciplinario que trate a la cultura como una variable significativa en la construcción de una enfermedad, entendiendo que los modelos fisiopatológicos resultan necesarios pero no suficientes para comprender de qué modo se constituye. Para dicho fin se hará un breve recorrido por los estudios efectuados en la década del 80 en China por el psiquiatra y antropólogo Arthur Kleiman y se desarrollará la perspectiva de la psicoanalista Helena Lunazzi, quien en su libro Alexitimia desarrolla cómo la cultura influye en la expresión verbal de las emociones. (AU)

The following work presents the history of a 19-year-old patient from China who was hospitalized in a psychiatric ward of a general hospital due to a depressive illness, being the case remarkable for the polymorphism in the clinical symptoms that she presented. The objective is to analyze the need for an interdisciplinary approach that treats culture as a significant variable in the construction of a disease, understanding that pathophysiological models are necessary but not sufficient to comprehend how they are constituted. For this purpose, a brief review will be made of the studies carried out in the 1980s in China by the psychiatrist and anthropologist Arthur Kleiman and the perspective of the psychoanalyst Lunazzi Helena, who in her book "Alexithymia" develops how culture influences the verbal expression of emotions. (AU)

Alexithymia in obese adolescents is associated with severe obesity and binge eating behavior

Abstract 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 (r2 = 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. Conclusion: 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.

Alexithymia, masculinity and sexual behavior among Brazilian men / Alexitimia, masculinidade e comportamento sexual entre homens Brasileiros

Normative masculinity and alexithymia may negatively affect sexual life and men's well-being. In this study, the endorsement of traditional male norms, alexithymia and sexual behavior were assessed through an online survey directed to Brazilian men. Relationship status and religion were also addressed, and associations and correlations between variables were carried out. The survey presented 66 items, including standardized questionnaires, such as Meanings of Adolescent Masculinity Scale, Toronto Alexithymia Scale and Male Sexual Quotient. The sample consisted in 528 Brazilian men with high socioeconomic and educational levels. Alexithymia was negatively correlated with sexual satisfaction. The endorsement of traditional male norms was positively correlated with pornography use and was also associated with sharing of pornographic material through social media. Married men had the lowest levels of alexithymia, with significant difference when compared with men who are not currently in a relationship. Furthermore, having a religion was associated with greater endorsement of traditional male norms. These findings suggest that alexithymia may have greater influence on behaviors associated with interpersonal relations, including sexual satisfaction and relationship status. Conversely, normative masculinity was linked to personal variables, which did not involve a partner, including pornography consumption and religion.

A masculinidade normativa e alexitimia podem afetar negativamente a vida sexual e o bem-estar dos homens. Neste estudo, a concepção de masculinidade, alexitimia e comportamento sexual foram avaliados por meio de uma pesquisa online dirigida aos homens brasileiros. O status de relacionamento e religião também foram abordados, efetivando-se associações e correlações entre as diferentes variáveis. A pesquisa apresentou 66 itens, incluindo questionários estandardizados, como a Escala de Concepções de Masculinidade, Escala de Alexitimia de Toronto e Quociente Sexual - versão masculina. A amostra consistiu em 528 homens brasileiros com altos níveis socioeconômicos e educacionais. Alexitimia foi negativamente correlacionada com a satisfação sexual. O endosso das normas tradicionais masculinas foi positivamente correlacionado com o uso de pornografia, bem como associado ao compartilhamento de material pornográfico por meio das mídias sociais. Os homens casados obtiveram os níveis mais baixos de alexitimia, com diferença significativa quando comparados com homens que não mantém atualmente um relacionamento. Além disso, ter uma religião foi associado a uma maior percepção de importância das normas tradicionais masculinas. Os achados sugerem que a alexitimia pode possuir maior influência sobre os comportamentos associados às relações interpessoais, incluindo satisfação sexual e status de relacionamento. Por outro lado, a masculinidade normativa foi ligada a variáveis pessoais, que não envolviam um parceiro, incluindo o consumo de pornografia e a religião.

The mediating role of alexithymia in the relationship between trait anger and aggressive behavior among male prisoners / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To explore the mediating role of alexithymia in the relationship between trait anger and aggressive behavior among male violent prisoners.Methods:A sample of 268 male violent prisoners completed self-report measures of the trait anger scale (TAS), Toronto alexithymia scale-20 (TAS-20) and the Chinese college students' version of Buss-Perry aggression questionnaire. SPSS 23.0 software and Mplus 8.0 software were used to test the mediating effect.Results:The total scores of trait anger, aggressive behavior and alexithymia were (17.75±4.93), (52.15±10.61)and (70.90±19.40), respectively. Pearson correlation analysis showed that trait anger was both significantly positively correlated with aggressive behavior ( r=0.67, P<0.01) and alexithymia ( r=0.40, P<0.01), and there was also a significantly positive correlation between alexithymia and aggressive behavior ( r=0.55, P<0.01). Multivariate hierarchical regression analysis showed that trait anger directly predicted aggressive behavior ( β=0.67, P<0.01) after controlling the influence of alcohol addiction. Emotional recognition disorder played a partially mediating role in the relationship between trait anger and aggressive behavior ( β=0.18, 95% CI=0.11-0.27). Conclusion:Trait anger not only directly affects male violent prisoners aggressive behavior, but also indirectly affects male violent prisoners aggressive behavior through emotional recognition disorder.

Mediating role of alexithymia in the relationship between self-compassion and postpartum depression in premature mothers separated from their infants / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To investigate the status and correlation of 6 weeks postpartum self-compassion, alexithymia and postpartum depression in preterm mothers separated from their infants.Methods:Convenience sampling method was used to select 300 premature mothers separated from their infants in Binzhou Medical University Hospital as the research objects. A cross-sectional survey was conducted by the general data, the Chinese version of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS-C), the Chinese version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).Results:The total scores of SCS-C, TAS-20 and EPDS at 6 weeks postpartum were (19.94 ± 2.64), (48.74 ± 3.87) and (10.61 ± 3.07) respectively. The self-compassion ability was negatively correlated with alexithymia and postpartum depression ( r = -0.365, -0.313, both P<0.01), alexithymia was positively correlated with postpartum depression ( r = 0.657, P<0.01). Alexithymia played a partial mediating role in the relationship between self-compassion and postpartum depression, accounting for 72.83% of the total effect. Conclusions:Self-compassion and alexithymia are both important factors affecting postpartum depression in premature mothers separated from their infants. By enhancing emotional cognition and processing ability of premature mothers, self-compassion ability can be improved to reduce the incidence of postpartum depression.

Mechanism and intervention strategies of alexithymia / 四川精神卫生

The purpose of this article is to review the mechanism and intervention strategies of alexithymia， in order to provide a new direction for clinical treatment and research of alexithymia. Alexithymia is not only related to a variety of psychosomatic diseases， but also exists in mental diseases such as depression， anxiety and eating disorders， which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. This article reviews alexithymia and its mechanism in different diseases from cognition， neurological and social-psychological factors， and summarizes the intervention strategies， aiming to provide references for the clinical treatment of alexithymia.

Correlation between type D personality and alexithymia among patients with depressive disorder / 四川精神卫生

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between alexithymia and type D personality in patients with depressive disorder， so as to further enrich the psychological theory of depressive disorder. MethodsFrom May to August 2020， 100 inpatients in Psychosomatic Medicine Department of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital who met the diagnostic criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders， fifth edition （DSM-5） for depressive episode were selected as the research objects. Basic information， type D personality， alexithymia and depressive symptoms of the patients were investigated via self-compiled general demographic questionnaire， Type D Personality Scale 14 （DS-14）， Toronto Alexithymia Scale （TAS-20） and Patients' Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 item （PHQ-9）.Spearman correlation analysis was used to test the correlation between the scores of each scale. ResultsA total of 82 patients with depressive disorder completed the survey， of whom 75 patients （91.46%） were found to have type D personality， and 50 patients （60.98%） were found to have alexithymia. The total scores of TAS-20， DS-14 and PHQ-9 were positively correlated （r=0.276~0.354， P<0.05 or 0.01）. TAS-20 total score and dimensional scores were positively correlated with social inhibition dimension score in DS-14 （r=0.224~0.375， P<0.05 or 0.01）. TAS-20 total score and the scores of difficulty in identifying feelings and difficulty in describing feelings dimensions were positively correlated the negative affectivity dimension score in DS-14 （r=0.257~0.341， P<0.05 or 0.01）. ConclusionAlexithymia is closely related to type D personality in patients with depressive disorder.

Frecuencia de alexitimia y factores relacionados en pacientes con fibromialgia tratados en un hospital público de Lima, Perú / Frequency and related factors of alexithymia in patients with fibromyalgia treated at a public hospital in Lima, Peru

RESUMEN Objetivo : Determinar la frecuencia de alexitimia y factores relacionados en pacientes con fibromialgia, y la relación entre alexitimia y capacidad funcional, intensidad de dolor, depresión y variables generales (edad, sexo, tiempo de enfermedad, grado de instrucción y años de estudio) en fibromialgia. Material y métodos : Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal en pacientes con fibromialgia del Servicio de Reumatología de un hospital público de Lima, Perú. Se aplicó una ficha sociodemográfica, la TAS-20, el MD-HAQ y la CES-D. Resultados : De los 126 pacientes con fibromialgia, 60 (47,62 %) mostraron alexitimia, 24 de ellos presentaron depresión (40%) y 39, discapacidad funcional (65%). En el análisis bivariado la alexitimia se relacionó significativamente con mayor comorbilidad, menor grado de instrucción, mayor intensidad de dolor, mayor fatiga y más síntomas reportados. En el análisis multivariado, años de estudio (£11 años) fue el único factor relacionado a alexitimia (TAS-20) (p=0,010, OR: 2,589 [1,249 - 5,365]). Conclusiones : Se demuestra una frecuencia considerable de alexitimia en pacientes con fibromialgia y, en el análisis multivariado, este hallazgo se relaciona significativamente con un número menor de años de estudio.

SUMMARY Objective : To determine the frequency of alexithymia and associated factors in patients with fibromyalgia, and the relationship between alexithymia with functional capacity, pain intensity, depression and general variables (age, sex, time of illness, degree of instruction, and years of study) in fibromyalgia. Material and methods : Descriptive cross-sectional study of patients with fibromyalgia from the Rheumatology service of a public hospital in Lima, Perú. A sociodemographic record, TAS-20, MD-HAQ and CES-D were applied. Results . Of the 126 patients with fibromyalgia, 60 had alexithymia (47.62%); 24 alexithymic patients had depression (40 %), and 39 had functional disability (65 %). In the bivariate analysis, alexithymia was significantly related to greater comorbidity, less education, greater pain intensity, greater fatigue and more reported symptoms. In the multivariate analysis, years of study (£ 11 years) were the only factor related to alexithymia (TAS-20) (p=0.010, OR: 2.589 [1.249 - 5.365]). Conclusions : This study shows a considerable frequency of alexithymia in fibromyalgia patients and, in the multivariate analysis, the finding is significantly related to a lower number of years of study.

Non-suicidal self-injury in patients with eating disorders: nuclear aspects / Autolesiones no suicidas en pacientes con trastornos de la conducta alimentaria: Aspectos nucleares

Abstract Background: Through the culture of thinness, increasingly promoted in our society as a beauty canon, it is not surprising that the number of people affected by eating disorders is increasing. Objective: This research aims to study the relationship between non-suicidal self-injuries and nuclear aspects of eating disorders specified along with this article. Methods: The sample consisted of 60 women diagnosed with anorexia and bulimia. Questionnaires assessing impulsivity, body satisfaction, alexithymia, body attitude and self-esteem were administered. Participants with non-suicidal self-harm were compared with those without it, and participants with anorexia with and without self-harm and participants with bulimia with and without self-harm were compared. Results: Differences were found in body dissatisfaction= 5.71; p ≤0.01), body attitudes= 4.80; p ≤0.02), self-esteem= 14.09; p ≤0.00) and impulsivity (t= 3.39; p ≤0.01) between participants with and without non-suicidal self-harm. Conclusions: These are key factors for the clinical area in the treatment of eating disorders to prevent the presence of self-harm, as it allows focusing the treatment target on those aspects such as dissatisfaction and impulsivity, which are key in the development of self-harm.

Resumen Introducción: A través de la cultura de la delgadez, cada vez más promovida en nuestra sociedad como canon de belleza, no es de extrañar que este aumentado el número de personas afectadas por Trastornos de Conducta alimentaria. Objetivo: Estudiar la relación entre las autolesiones no suicidas y aspectos nucleares del trastorno de conducta alimentaria que se especifican a lo largo de este artículo. Métodos: La muestra ha sido formada por 60 mujeres diagnosticadas de anorexia y bulimia. Se administraron cuestionarios que evaluaban la impulsividad, satisfacción corporal, alexitimia, actitud corporal y autoestima. Se compararon aquellas participantes que presentaban autolesiones no suicidas con las que no lo presentaban, además se compararon participantes con anorexia con y sin autolesiones y participantes con bulimia con y sin autolesiones. Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias en insatisfacción corporal = 5,71; p ≤0.01), en actitudes corporales= 4.80; p ≤0.02), autoestima= 14.09; p ≤0.00) e impulsividad, (t= 3.39; p ≤0.01) entre participantes con y sin autolesiones no suicidas. Conclusiones: Estos son factores clave para la clínica en el tratamiento de los trastornos de conducta alimentaria para prevenir la presencia de autolesiones, ya que permite enfocar el objetivo del tratamiento a aquellos aspectos como la insatisfacción e impulsividad, que son claves en el desarrollo de autolesiones.

The influence of alexithymia on risk behavior of college students / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To explore the current situation of college students′ risk behavior and its relationship with alexithymia.Methods:A total of 992 college students from two colleges in Jiangxi Province were investigated with evaluation scale for risk behaviors of teenagers and Toronto alexithymia scale. SPSS 17.0 software was used for descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and regression analysis.Results:Evaluation scale for risk behaviors showed that 15.2% of college students had at least one risk behavior factor scored more than 3, and 1.0% had at least one factor scored more than 4. The scores of bad habits and extroversion behavior question of boys((1.72±0.50), (1.61±0.56)) were significantly higher than those of girls ((1.66±0.38), (1.45±0.40), t=2.205, P=0.028, t=5.020, P<0.01), and the scores of introversion behavior question and academic maladjustment of girls ((2.13±0.56), (2.51±0.53)) were significantly higher than those of boys ((1.97±0.62), (2.39±0.63), t=-4.157, P<0.01, t=-3.282, P=0.001). The four factors of risk behaviors were positively correlated with each other (0.497-0.673), and the risk behaviors of college students were clustered. There were significant differences in the total score of risk behaviors ((2.28±0.43), (1.99±0.37), (1.71±0.36)), introversion behavior question ((2.60±0.54), (2.17±0.49), (1.80±0.50)), bad habits ((1.95±0.49), (1.73±0.38), (1.54±0.36)), academic maladjustment ((2.82±0.52), (2.57±0.50), (2.25±0.54)) and extroversion behavior question ((1.72±0.56), (1.57±0.46), (1.37±0.38)) in alexithymia group, possible alexithymia group and non alexithymia group( F=157.252, 172.027, 75.654, 85.424, 45.604, all P<0.01). Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that alexithymia could predict college students′ risk behaviors. Conclusion:Taking effective measures to reduce the level of alexithymia can reduce the occurrence of risk behaviors of college students.

The mediating effect of self-control in the relationship between alexithymia and internet addiction among college students / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To explore the mediating role of self-control in the relationship between alexithymia and internet addiction.Methods:From August to September 2019, a total of 433 college students were selected from three universities in Jiangxi province by cluster random sampling method. The Chinese internet addiction scale-revised, the twenty-item Toronto alexithymia scale and brief self-control scale were used for questionnaire testing. SPSS 23.0 software was used for descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis and PROCESS V3.5 macro program was used to test the mediating effect.Results:The total scores of alexithymia, internet addiction and self-control were (53.61±9.44), (45.31±9.84) and (41.91±6.09), respectively. Pearson correlation analysis showed that alexithymia was significantly positively correlated with internet addiction ( r=0.47, P<0.01), and significantly negatively correlated with self-control ( r=-0.37, P<0.01). The negative correlation between self-control and internet addiction was significant ( r=-0.46, P<0.01). Multivariate hierarchical regression analysis showed that alexithymia directly predicted internet addiction after controlling the influence of gender. Self-control played a partially mediating role in the relationship between alexithymia and internet addiction (effect size=0.13, 95% CI: 0.082-0.185), the mediating effect accounted for 25% of the total effect. Conclusion:Alexithymia not only directly affects college students′ internet addiction, but also indirectly affects college students′ internet addiction through self-control.

The effect of childhood trauma on depressive symptoms in college freshmen: the mediating role of alexithymia and the moderating role of life events / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To explore the mediating effect of alexithymia and moderating effect of life events in the relationship between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was designed to investigate 2 592 freshmen in Southern Medical University by using a series of questionnaires, including the childhood trauma questionnaire(CTQ), Toronto alexithymia scale(TAS), adolescent self-rating life events checklist(ASLEC), Chinese version of Beck depression inventory-Ⅱ(BDI-Ⅱ). The mediating effect of alexithymia and the moderating effect of life events were examined using SPSS 19.0 macro program PROCESS 2.13.Results:(1) The prevalences of depressive symptoms and childhood trauma were 11.34% and 14.80% in college students.(2) The total score of CTQ (34.25±8.01) was significantly positively correlated with the total score of TAS (48.82±10.72) ( r=0.38, P<0.01), the total score of ASLEC (36.91±9.74) was significantly positively correlated with the score of BDI-Ⅱ 3.00(6.00) ( r=0.53, P<0.01), and the total score of TAS was significantly positively correlated with the score of BDI-Ⅱ ( r=0.49, P<0.01). (3) Alexithymia mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms.The direct effect (effects size=0.25) and the mediating effect (effects size=0.12) accounted for 67.57% and 32.43% of the total effect (effects size=0.37), respectively.(4) Health adaptation, punishment and learning pressure events moderated the path between alexithymia and depressive symptoms. Conclusion:Childhood trauma affects depressive symptoms through the mediating role of alexithymia and the moderating role of life events in freshmen.

Depression, PTSD and alexithymia in victims of intimate partner violence: a case-control study

Abstract Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) regards millions of women worldwide and can lead to serious psychopathological consequences. Objective We aimed to evaluate differences between a group of abused women and controls, and potential predictors of depression and PTSD in the IPV group. Methods We recruited 57 women who experienced IPV and 57 age-matched controls from the general population. After collecting socio-demographic characteristics, we administered the following scales: Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and Revised-Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS-2). Results Our results showed differences between women who experienced IPV and controls in the socio-economic status, employment and educational levels, childhood abuse and early terminations of pregnancy. Notably, the rates of depression, PTSD, and alexithymia were significantly different between the two groups. Linear regression models revealed that sexual coercion was an independent positive predictor of depressive symptoms, while alexithymia played a role in the development of PTSD in the group of abused women. Discussion Given the prevalence of depression and PTSD in victims of IPV, it is important to always investigate for IPV in women seeking for help in mental health services. Alexithymia in victims of IPV deserves to be further investigated by researchers.

Does psychotherapy improve alexithymia? A comparison study among patients with mild or moderate depression

Abstract Background Alexithymia is reported to be a risk factor for depression. Psychotherapy is efficient for treatment of depression. Yet, the effect of psychotherapies on alexithymia is poorly understood. Objectives We aimed to compare Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Psychotherapy (ExP) and Supportive Counseling (SUP) for therapeutic efficacy and effect on alexithymia in depression. Methods There were 22 patients for each patient group. Sessions were performed as eight consecutive weekly and following two monthly boosters. Sixty six healthy controls were added. Prior to the sessions, patients received Sociodemographic Data Form, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-1), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). The control group received Sociodemographic Data Form, SCID-1 and TAS-20. Patients additionally received HDRS and TAS-20 after their weekly and booster sessions. Results Patients' mean TAS-20 score was greater than of controls, however, it did not have a significant change throughout the study. Mean HDRS scores of ExP and CBT groups were lower than SUP group at the end. Discussion Alexithymia did not improve with psychotherapy. The exception was effect of ExP on externally oriented thinking. Psychotherapies all improved depression. CBT and ExP were more helpful than SUP.

Alexitimia y Psoriasis. Revisión bibliográfica / Alexithymia and Psoriasis a review

Resumen La psoriasis es considerada una enfermedad dentro del espectro de las patologías psicosomáticas. Este cuadro presenta diversas comorbilidades tanto somáticas como psicológicas. Dentro de esta última dimensión, las más prevalentes son los trastornos de ansiedad y depresión. Históricamente se ha asociado la evolución de la psoriasis con factores como el estrés; sin embargo, recientes investigaciones destacan que serían más influyentes aspectos propios de la personalidad del paciente, como la alexitimia, más que el evento estresante en particular. La alexitimia presenta alta prevalencia en pacientes con psoriasis y conforme a diversos estudios se relacionaría con implicancias adversas en el curso de la patología cutánea en lo que respecta a la calidad de vida, percepción de enfermedad, comorbilidades, evolución y vulnerabilidad al estrés.

Summary Psoriasis is considered a Psychosomatic disease. It is associated with several comorbidities, not only somatic but also psychiatric and psychological, such as anxiety and depression. Historically, this cutaneous disease has been associated with environmental factors including stress. Recent studies reported that psychological aspects of the patient such as personality traits, including alexithymia, may be more important in the course of the pathology than a stressor factor. Patients affected by psoriasis and alexithymia may be more vulnerable to stress, and this association would be one of the reasons for the disease exacerbations. There is a high prevalence between alexithymia and psoriasis. In accordance with the reviewed articles, alexithymia is related with poor quality of life, abnormal perception of the illness, somatic and psychiatric comorbidities, worse prognosis and vulnerability to stress influence. The intention of this review is to bring an update of the impact of alexithymia in patients affected by psoriasis.

The role of long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy in improving attachment patterns, defense styles, and alexithymia in patients with depressive/anxiety disorders / O papel da psicoterapia psicodinâmica de longo prazo na melhora de padrões de apego, estilos de defesa e alexitimia em pacientes com transtornos depressivos e de ansiedade

Abstract Introduction Long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (LTPP) emphasizes the centrality of intrapsychic and unconscious conflicts and their relation to development. Although there is evidence supporting the efficacy of LTPP in mental disorders, little research has been published on the efficacy of LTPP for depressive and anxiety disorders. Objective To examine whether patients with anxiety and depressive disorders demonstrate improvement in their attachment styles, defense styles, psychiatric symptoms, anxiety/depressive symptoms, and alexithymia with LTPP. Methods In this retrospective, descriptive study, the psychological outcomes of patients who were treated at the psychoanalytic clinic of Babol University of Medical Sciences were assessed. Fourteen patients diagnosed with depressive or anxiety disorder participated in the study of LTPP using the self-psychology approach. The Beck Depression Inventory II, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Adult Attachment Scale, 40-item Defense Style Questionnaire, and the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale were administered at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze changes in psychological outcomes after each of the three assessments. Results The mean scores of depression and anxiety and secure attachment improved significantly after LTPP with self-psychology approach from baseline to post-treatment and follow-up. Also, the mean scores of neurotic and immature defenses, difficulty in identifying feelings, difficulty in describing feelings, externally oriented thinking, and total alexithymia scores decreased significantly from baseline to post-treatment and follow-up. Conclusion Symptoms of anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, insecure attachment styles, alexithymia, and neurotic/immature defense styles improved after the LTPP with self-psychology approach. Moreover, the improvements persisted at the 6-month follow-up.

Resumo Introdução A psicoterapia psicodinâmica de longo prazo (PPLP) enfatiza a centralidade dos conflitos intrapsíquicos e inconscientes e sua relação com o desenvolvimento. Apesar da evidência em favor da eficácia da PPLP em transtornos mentais, há poucos dados sobre a eficácia da PPLP em transtornos de depressão/ansiedade. Objetivo Examinar se pacientes com transtornos de depressão/ansiedade demonstram melhora em seus estilos de apego, estilos defensivos, sintomas psiquiátricos, sintomas de ansiedade/depressão e alexitimia com PPLP. Métodos Neste estudo retrospectivo, descritivo, os desfechos psicológicos de pacientes tratados na clínica psicanalítica da Babol University of Medical Sciences foram avaliados. Quatorze pacientes com diagnóstico de transtorno de depressão ou ansiedade participaram do estudo sobre PPLP com abordagem de psicologia do self. O Inventário de Depressão de Beck II, o Inventário de Ansiedade de Beck, a Escala de Apego do Adulto, o Questionário de Estilo de Defesa-40 e a Escala de Alexitimia de Toronto-20 foram administrados antes e após o tratamento e no seguimento de 6 meses. Equações de estimação generalizadas foram usadas para analisar mudanças nos desfechos psicológicos após cada avaliação. Resultados Os escores médios de depressão/ansiedade e apego seguro melhoraram significativamente após PPLP com abordagem de psicologia do self do início do estudo ao pós-tratamento e seguimento. Além disso, os escores médios de defesas neuróticas e imaturas, dificuldade em identificar sentimentos, dificuldade em descrever sentimentos, pensamentos orientados externamente e escores totais de alexitimia diminuíram significativamente do início do estudo ao pós-tratamento e seguimento. Conclusão Sintomas de transtornos de ansiedade, transtornos depressivos, estilos de apego inseguro, alexitimia e estilos de defesa neuróticos/imaturos melhoraram após PPLP com abordagem de psicologia do self. Além disso, as melhoras persistiram no seguimento de 6 meses.