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Is a Constricted Imaginal Capacity a Component of the Alexithymia Construct? A Factor Analytic Exploration in a
R Michael Bagby1,2, Paweł Larionow3, Cheyenne S McIntyre4
1Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Alexithymia, a difficulty identifying emotions, may be separate from imaginal capacity. This study suggests their relationship depends on measurement, urging diverse evidence for construct revision.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Alexithymia is a transdiagnostic risk factor for psychiatric and medical disorders.
- Debate exists on whether constricted imaginal capacity is core to alexithymia or a correlate.
- Revising the alexithymia construct impacts clinical formulation and neurobiological models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the controversy regarding alexithymia and imaginal capacity.
- To conduct a two-stage exploratory factor analysis to clarify their relationship.
- To inform potential revisions to the alexithymia construct.
Main Methods:
- Two-stage exploratory factor analysis in a community sample (N=681) with psychiatric history.
- Utilized indicators from prior factor analytic studies.
- Stage 2 re-specified the analytic space by removing certain variables.
Main Results:
- Stage 1 replicated structural separation between alexithymia and imaginal processes.
- Stage 2 revealed cross-loadings, supporting the pensée opératoire construct.
- Dysphoric daydreaming and poor attentional control linked to negative emotion appraisal.
Conclusions:
- Structural independence of alexithymia and imaginal processes is indicator-dependent.
- Construct revision requires convergent evidence from multiple methods.
- Future research should integrate neuroimaging, EEG, interviews, and assessments.
Keywords:
alexithymiaanalytic spacedaydreamingdefault mode networkfactor analysisimaginal processespensée opératoiretransdiagnosticMore Related Videos
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