A Study of Factor Structure of the Korean Version of the 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to examine the factor structure of the Korean version of the 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale. The TAS-20 (source of the TAS-20K) has been supported the three-factor correlated model. However, some factor structure studies of the TAS-20 rejected the three-factor correlated model and adopted alternative models. Methods: In study 1, we conducted a comparison study of the alternative measurement models by using CFA. In study 2, we examined scale reliability and gender measurement invariance of the factor structure. To examine the alternative models and scale reliability, we using the bifactor model reliability indices. Results: As a result, the DIF and DDF factors have a close relationship but the EOT factor has some differences with DIF and DDF. So we adopted a two-factor correlated model with group factor. And the adopted factor structure has partial measurement invariance. Therefore we can compare gender differences of the TAS-20K. Conclusions: This study has significance that examining TAS-20K's factor structure and examining measurement invariance in gender.

The Structure of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20): A Meta-Analytic Confirmatory Factor Analysis

“…In several publications a bifactor model was used to describe the TAS-20 ( Carnovale et al, 2021 ; Gignac et al, 2007 ; González-Arias et al, 2018 ; Reise et al, 2013 ; Tuliao et al., 2020 ; Yun et al., 2019 ). Besides a general factor that reflects the common variance of all items, specific factors are included to cover additional variance among item sets.…”

The Structure of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20): A Meta-Analytic Confirmatory Factor Analysis

“…In several publications a bifactor model was used to describe the TAS-20 (Gignac et al, 2007;González-Arias et al, 2018;Reise et al, 2013;Tuliao et al, 2020;Yun et al, 2019).…”

Meta-Analysis of Correlations among the Subfactors of the 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale

“…감정표현불능증을 측정하는 척도는 여러 가지가 존재하 지만(Toronto Structured Interview for Alexithymia, TSIA [5]; The Observer Alexithymia Scale, OAS [6]; Bermond-Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire, BVAQ [7]), 현재는 Bagby 등에 의해 개발된 자기 보고식 측정 도구인 Toronto 20항목 감정표현불능증 척도(Toronto Alexithymia Scale 20)가 가장 활발하게 사용된다 [8]. TAS-20 척도의 원 저자들은 초기에 감정표현불능증이 '정 서 경험과 신체 감각을 구분하는 것의 어려움(Difficulty identifying and distinguishing between feelings and bodily sensation)', '감정을 표현하는 것의 어려움 (Difficulty describing feelings)', '공상의 부재(reduced daydreaming)', '구체적이고 외부지향적인 사고(externally oriented thinking)'로 구성되어 있다고 보고된 [9] 이후 척도에 대한 개정과 요인 분석을 통해 TAS-20이 '정서 인식의 어려움(Difficulty Identifying Feelings, DIF)', '정서 표현의 어려움(Difficulty Describing Feelings, DDF)', '외부 지향적 사고(Externally Oriented Thinking, EOT)'로 구성된 3 요인 구조를 가진다는 것을 밝혔다 [10].…”