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Alexithymia in a normal elderly population

M Joukamaa1, S Saarijärvi, M L Muuriaisniemi

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Turku University Central Hospital, Finland.

Comprehensive Psychiatry
|March 1, 1996
PubMed
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This study found that 34% of 72-year-old Finns have alexithymia, a condition characterized by difficulty identifying and describing emotions. Alexithymia was linked to poorer perceived somatic health in this elderly population.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Psychiatry
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Alexithymia is a personality construct characterized by difficulty identifying and expressing feelings.
  • Understanding alexithymia prevalence in elderly populations is crucial for mental health research.
  • The Turun Vanhustutkimus (TUR-VA) project investigates psychosocial adaptation in aging Finns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of alexithymia in a Finnish elderly population sample.
  • To examine associations between alexithymia and sociodemographic factors.
  • To investigate the relationship between alexithymia and perceived somatic and psychic health.

Main Methods:

  • A population sample of 190 individuals aged 72 years was studied.
  • Alexithymia was assessed using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-26).

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  • Sociodemographic data, perceived somatic health, and psychic health (using GHQ-36) were collected.

    • Main Results:

    • The prevalence of alexithymia was found to be 34%.
    • Alexithymia showed a significant association with poor perceived somatic health.
    • The association between alexithymia and psychiatric disturbance diminished when somatic health was controlled.

    Conclusions:

    • Alexithymia is prevalent in the elderly Finnish population studied.
    • Perceived somatic health is a key factor associated with alexithymia in older adults.
    • Alexithymia is not significantly associated with gender, marital status, social status, or residential area in this cohort.