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Social factors in alexithymia

J Kauhanen1, G A Kaplan, J Julkunen

  • 1Human Population Laboratory, Berkeley, CA.

Comprehensive Psychiatry
|September 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary

Alexithymia, the difficulty in expressing emotions, is linked to social isolation and lower socioeconomic status in men. This suggests social factors may influence alexithymia, not just psychological ones.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Alexithymia is characterized by difficulties in identifying and verbalizing emotions.
  • Previous research has primarily focused on the psychological aspects of alexithymia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the social characteristics associated with alexithymia in a population-based sample.
  • To explore the potential social determinants of alexithymia.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based study of 2,682 middle-aged men in Eastern Finland.
  • Assessment of alexithymia using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS).
  • Statistical analysis of social factors including marital status, social contacts, education, income, and occupation in relation to TAS scores.

Main Results:

  • Men with high TAS scores (indicating alexithymia) were more likely to be unmarried.
  • Individuals with alexithymia reported fewer social contacts and acquaintances.
  • Higher education, income, and occupational status were inversely associated with TAS scores, even after controlling for confounding factors.

Conclusions:

  • Alexithymia is associated with specific social characteristics, including marital status and social network size.
  • Socioeconomic factors such as education, income, and occupation are inversely related to alexithymia.
  • The findings suggest that alexithymia may be partly socially determined, in addition to being a psychological phenomenon.

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