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Related Experiment Videos

Alexithymia, social support and health problems

M A Lumley1, T Ovies, L Stettner

  • 1Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.

Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|December 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Alexithymia, difficulty identifying feelings, is linked to less social support and fewer social skills. However, reduced social support does not explain the connection between alexithymia and health issues.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology

Background:

  • Alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by difficulty identifying and expressing emotions.
  • Previous research suggests a link between alexithymia and social difficulties.
  • The role of social skills and social support in mediating this relationship requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between alexithymia and perceived/network social support.
  • To determine if reduced social skills account for the relationship between alexithymia and social support.
  • To investigate whether limited social support mediates the link between alexithymia and health problems.

Main Methods:

  • Three studies were conducted involving healthy young adults and patients.

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  • Alexithymia was assessed using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale.
  • Social variables, physical health, and depression were measured.

    • Main Results:

    • Alexithymia was associated with lower perceived social support and fewer close relationships.
    • Deficits in social skills fully accounted for the link between alexithymia and smaller social networks.
    • Alexithymia correlated with somatic complaints and depression, independent of social support.

    Conclusions:

    • Alexithymia is linked to reduced perceived and network social support, primarily due to social skills deficits.
    • Reduced social support does not explain the association between alexithymia and health problems.
    • Findings highlight the impact of alexithymia on social functioning and its indirect effects on well-being.