First validity evidences of the Brazilian brief Toronto Alexitimia Scale (BbTAS-12) using Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling with a sample of adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: Alexithymia is a construct characterized by a subclinical inability to identify and describe emotions and an externally-oriented thinking. Objective: To test the three-dimensional theoretical model proposed by Parker et al. (1994) (DDF, DIF, EOT), when evaluated by a brief version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (BbTAS-12). Method: BbTAS-12 was used in a sample of 801 adolescents (from 13 to 19 years of age), of both genders (52.1% male), in order to test its first evidences of validity via Exploratory Structural Equation (ESEM) Modeling and the internal consistency index. Results: The results of the general model (GFI = .99; AGFI = .97; χ2/gl = 1,14; RMSEA = .035; PCLOSE > .5; CFI = .98; TLI = .97), are excellent and explain 51% of the construct variance, confirming also the three dimension-structure. Both the internal consistency of the total (αt = .72; Omegat = .69) and the theoretically proposed dimensions (αDDF = .67; OmegaDDF = .68; αDIF = .73; OmegaDIF = .73; αEOT = 0,56; OmegaEOT = .57) showed results varying from acceptable to adequate. The internal consistency of the full scale (BbTAS-12) is adequate, with the exception of the EOT dimension. The results are discussed considering the studies conducted with this population in several countries. Conclusion: BbTAS-12 is an especially promising scale for the measure Alexithymia in Brazilian adolescents. However, itis possible to improve the content of some items considering the reading skills and the cultural context of adolescents.