Links between facets of alexithymia, self-rated interoception, and social perception

In three studies we examined relationships between facets of alexithymia, sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), interoception, and social perception. In Study 1 (N = 145), sensitivity to subtle cues (a positive SPS trait) negatively mediated the link between having an external focus (externally oriented thinking) and reporting low subjective interoceptive accuracy. In Study 2 (N = 98), sensitivity to subtle cues negatively mediated links between having an external focus and the capacity to notice and sustain/control attention to body sensations and to connect these sensations to emotional states. Conversely, difficulty identifying feelings was linked to the tendencies to try to distract oneself from and to worry about uncomfortable sensations, with the latter link being mediated by sensitivity to unpleasant stimulation (a negative SPS trait). In Study 3 (N = 53), having an external focus predicted reporting a reduced ability to sustain and control attention to body sensations which, in turn, predicted lower ratings of the intensity of another's nuanced facial expression. Having an external focus also predicted a weak tendency to listen to one's body for insight, which predicted finding expressions less pleasant. Finally, the pleasantness of the expressions predicted how willing viewers were to approach the person depicted. By teasing apart the unique variance in aspects of interoception and social perception attributable to distinct facets of alexithymia and SPS, this work may have important implications for theory building and for the design and implementation of therapies intended to address difficulties associated with atypical interoceptive and/or social processing.