Construct validity of rorschach variables for alexithymia

The construct validity of Rorschach Comprehensive System (CS) variables theoretically linked to alexithymia was evaluated in 92 outpatients with inflammatory bowel disease, 32 of whom were categorized as alexithymic, 15 as indeterminate-alexithymic, and 45 as nonalexithymic, on the basis of Toronto Alexithymia Scale scores. Six sets of Rorschach CS marker variables were selected for analysis: fantasy, affect, adaptive resources, cognition, social adaptation, and projection. Most variables significantly differentiated the three groups. Compared with the other groups, alexithymic subjects were more likely to show an impoverished fantasy life, poorly adapted emotional expression, poor coping resources, concrete and stereotypical thinking, and social conformity with compromised relationships.