Alexithymia: A Further Exploration of Its Nomological Network

Abstract

The present studies were designed in order to obtain a better understanding of the nomological network of the alexithymia concept. In study I, the links between alexithymia, coping, and self-rated health were explored. As predicted, strong negative correlations were found between alexithymia and the expression of emotions, daydreams and fantasies, and planful and rational actions. Contrary to expectations, no clear associations were found with self-reported health status. In study II, the focus was on links with personality, temperament, and self-reported (susceptibility to) homesickness. Although some correlations reached statistical significance, all were rather modest. The most remarkable finding was the independence of alexithymia and neuroticism. In study III, the associations between alexithymia and aspects of love experiences were examined, again yielding low correlations. It is concluded that alexithymia is relatively independent of temperament and personality. In addition, it is suggested that the association between alexithymia and the experience of positive emotions deserves further exploration.

The Amsterdam Alexithymia Scale: Its Psychometric Values and Correlations with Other Personality Traits

“…The extremely low correlations between alexithymia and neuroticism and somatic neuroticism indicate that alexithymia and neuroticism are independent personality traits. This conclusion is in line with the results in Vingerhoets et al [42]and corresponds with Sifneos who already in 1973 had stressed the difference between neuroticism and alexithymia.…”

“…In addition, alexithymic persons mostly do not express their emotions behaviorally [59, 60], or communicate their emotions in any other way [52], therefore, other persons in their social environment will not receive any signals that they have to change their stress-inducing behavior. Finally, negative correlations between alexithymia and ability to cope have been described before [42]. Furthermore, the lack of understanding concerning their own emotions and those of others could also explain the association between alexithymia and the tendency to ruminate and to be introspective in a particular way, as has been found in this study.…”

“…Some results concerning the affirmative validity of the AAS have already been published before by Vingerhoets et al [42]. …”

The Relationship between Dimensions of Alexithymia and Dissociation

“…This ‘secondary alexithymia’ might in turn compromise the adequate response to the trauma and thereby lead to dysfunctional coping mechanisms. However, the concept of alexithymia as a trait or state is still a matter of discussion [32, 33, 34]. …”

Treatment of Patients with Chronic Somatic Symptoms by Means of Art Psychotherapy: A Process Description

“…Preverbal intrapsychic conflicts were assumed to be central. In the 1970s the terms pensée opératoire and alexithymia were introduced [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. They were used to label an observed inability among psychosomatic patients to think and talk about their emotions, especially in relation to their symptoms.…”