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Cognitive Distortions and Alexithymia: A Cross-Sectional Study of Their Association
Ibrahim Abdul Jaleel Yamani1, Alean Al-Krenawi2, Abd Elmureed Abd Elgaber Kaseem1
1Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 13318, Saudi Arabia.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Cognitive distortions are linked to alexithymia, the difficulty identifying and describing emotions, in Saudi adults. These findings suggest culturally sensitive interventions are needed to improve emotional awareness.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Cross-Cultural Psychology
Background:
- Alexithymia, characterized by difficulties in identifying and describing feelings, is influenced by cognitive processes.
- Cultural norms regarding emotional expression may impact alexithymia prevalence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between cognitive distortions and alexithymia in Saudi adults.
- To explore potential gender differences and cultural influences on this relationship.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 214 Saudi adults (aged 20-45).
- Participants completed the Cognitive Distortions Scale and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20).
- Hierarchical regression analyses were used to examine associations.
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation was found between cognitive distortions and alexithymia.
- Cognitive distortions were independently associated with overall alexithymia and difficulty identifying feelings.
- While gender moderation was non-significant, cognitive distortions partially explained higher alexithymia in males, warranting cautious interpretation.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest that cultural norms in Arab societies, emphasizing emotional restraint, may contribute to higher alexithymia.
- Culturally adapted cognitive-behavioral interventions are recommended to enhance emotional awareness.
- Future research should explore the interplay of cultural, social, and religious factors in emotional processing.
Keywords:
alexithymiacognitive distortionscognitive-behavioral interventionsemotional processinggender differencesMore Related Videos
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