Alexithymic asthmatics: age and alexithymia across the life span

The relationship between age and alexithymia was evaluated within a large (n = 476) group of asthmatic patients ranging in age from 14 to 76 years. Alexithymia was found to occur more frequently in the upper age ranges (middle and late adulthood) than in adolescence and early adulthood. Hypotheses regarding this relationship are addressed.