Criterion validity of Bermond-Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire-20 Form B: a study of 63 alcoholic subjects

The aim of the study was to set alexithymia cutoff scores on the 20-item Bermond-Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire-20 Form B. Alexithymia is a clinical construct describing individuals who have difficulty identifying and reporting their specific emotions. 63 subjects meeting the DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence completed the questionnaire and the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Using cutoff scores for the latter, subjects were divided into alexithymic and nonalexithymic subgroups. Taking into account the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive positive value, several potential Bermond-Vorst questionnaire scores were tested. Using the Younden formula (Sensitivity+ Specificity-1), score of 52 was the most appropriate cutoff score for the Bermond-Vorst-20 to indicate the presence of alexithymia in these male alcoholics.