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Examination of the level of alexithymia in adult individuals in terms of different demographic factors

Year 2020, Volume: 1 Issue: 2, 65 - 74, 19.12.2020

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the alexithymia levels of adult individuals in terms of various socio-demographic characteristics. The universe of the study are adults aged 24-65 in Turkey. The sample of the research was applied to 410 people who accepted the research according to the easy sampling method. The Socio-demographic information form and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale adapted to Turkish by Güleç et al. (2009) developed by Bagby, Parker and Taylor (1994) were applied to the participants. The Toronto Alexithymia Scale consists of 3 dimensions and 20 items: difficulty in recognizing emotions, difficulty expressing emotions, and expressive thought. Güleç et al. (2009), Total scale Cronbach's alpha value was found between 0.78 and sub-dimensions between 0.57-0.80. A high level of score indicates the presence of a high alexithymic level. According to the findings of the research, between the gender variable and the difficulty of expressing emotions, the level of thoughtfulness and alexithymia in adult individuals; between the age variable and difficulty in recognizing emotions, difficulty expressing feelings and level of alexithymia; there is a significant difference between the educational situation and outcrop thought; There was no significant difference between monthly income and alexithymia level and sub-dimensions.

References

  • Abbate-Daga G., Quaranta M., Marzola E., Amianto F., & Fassino S. (2015). The relationship between alexithymia and intolerance of uncertainty in anorexia nervosa. International Journal of Descriptive and Experimental Psychopathology, Phenomenology and Psychiatric Diagnosis, 48(3), 202–208.
  • Bagby RM, Parker JDA, & Taylor GJ. (1994). The twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale-I Item selection and cross validation of the factor structure. Journal of Psychosomosic Resarchs; 38, 23-32.
  • Batıgün AD. ve Büyükşahin A. (2008). Aleksitimi: psikolojik belirtiler ve bağlanma stilleri (İngilizce başlığını koyunuz bu parantez içine Türkçe yayınların). Klinik Psikiyatri Dergisi; 11(3), 105-114.
  • Carpenter, L., & Chung, M. C. (2011). Childhood trauma in ob43sessive compulsive disorder: The roles of alexithymia and attachment. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 84(4), 367–388.
  • Eyüpoğlu, HB. (2018) Erken Dönem Yaşantılar, Aleksitimi Ve Bedenselleştirme Arasındaki İlişkiler: Şema Terapi Modeli Çerçevesinde Bir İnceleme. Master Thesis, Istanbul Şehir University, Istanbul Turkey.
  • Freyberger H. (1977). Supportive psychotherapeutic techniques in primary and secondary alexithymia. Psychother Psychosom; 28: (1-4), 337-342.
  • Gucht, V., & Heiser, W. (2003). Alexithymia and somatisation. A quantitative review of the literature. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 54, 425– 434.
  • Güleç, H., Köse, S., Güleç, M. Y., Çitak, S., Evren, C., Borckardt, J. & Sayar, K. (2009). Reliability and factorial validity of the Turkish version of the 20-item Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS-20). Klinik Psikofarmakoloji Bülteni, 19(3), 214-220.
  • Güleç, M. Y., Kılıç, A., Gül, Ü., & Güleç, H. (2009). Psoriasis Hastalarında Aleksitimi ve Öfke. Archives Of Neuropsychiatry / Noropsikiatri Arsivi, 46(4), 169-174.
  • Güz, H., Ay, M., & Dilbaz, N. (2001). Bir Grup Dermatolojik Hastalarda Aleksitimi, Depresyon Ve Anksiyete. Düşünen Adam Dergisi, 14(2), 99-103.
  • Joukamaa, M., Mattila, A. K., Poutanen, O., Koivisto, A. M. & Salokangas, R. K. R. (2003). Alexithymia and life satisfaction ın primary healthcare patients. The Journal of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, 48 (6). 123-141.
  • Joyce A, Ogrodniczuk JS, Piper WE, & Joyce AS. (2011). Effect of alexithymia on the process and outcome of psychotherapy: A programmatic review. Journal of Psychiatry Research., 190 (1):43–48.
  • Karakıs, E. N., & Levant, R. F. (2012). Is normative male alexithymia associated with relationship satisfaction, fear of intimacy and communication quality among men in relationships? The Journal of Men’s Studies, 20, 179-186.
  • Karasar, N. (2015). Bilimsel Araştırma Yöntemi (Scientific Research Center). Ankara: Bilim Kitap Kırtasiye Yayınevi.
  • Koçak, R. (2002). Aleksitimi: Kuramsal çerçeve tedavi yaklaşımları ve ilgili araştırmalar. Ankara Üniversitesi Eğitim Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi, 35(1-2), 183- 212.
  • Kontrah, S., Novin, S., & Li, T. (2012). Is the relationship between alexithymia and aggression context-dependent? Impact of group membership and belief similarity. Personality and Individual Differences, 53, 329–334.
  • Krystal H, Giller EL, & Cicchetti DV. (1986). Assessment of alexithymia in post-traumatic stress disorder and somatic illness: introduction to a reliable measure. Psychosomatic Medicine, 48:84-94.
  • Levant, R.F., Good, G.E., Cook, S.W., O’Neil, J.M., Smalley, K.B., & Owen, K. (2006). The normative male alexithymia scale: Measurement of a gender-linked syndrome. Psychology of Men & Masculinity,7(4), 212-224.
  • Marsero, S., Ruggiero, G. M., Scarone, S., Bertelli, S., & Sassaroli, S. (2011). The relationship between alexithymia and maladaptive perfectionism in eating disorders: A mediation moderation analysis methodology. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Journal of Bulimia and Obesity, 16(3), 182-187.
  • Montebarocci, O., Codispoti, M., Baldaro, B. & Rossi, N. (2004). Adult attachment style and alexithymia. Personality and Individual Differences, 36, 499–507.
  • Ogrodniczuk J.S., Piper, W.E., & Joyce, A.S., (2011) Effect of alexithymia on the process and outcome of psychotherapy: a programmatic review. Journal of Psychiatry Research; 190 (1):43-48.
  • Oktay B, Batigün A. (2014), Aleksitimi: Baglanma, Benlik Algisi, Kisilerarasi Iliski Tarzlari ve Öfke. Türk Psikoloji Yazıları Dergisi, 17(33):31–40.
  • Sifneos PE. (1996). Alexithymia: past and present. American Journal of Psychiatry 153, 137-142.
  • Sifneos, P. E. (1973). Is Dynamic Psychotherapy Contraindicated for a Large Number of Patients with Psychosomatics Disease? Psychoteraphy Psychosomatics, 21, 133-136.
  • Taymur İ., Özen N.E., Boratav C. & Gülter S. (2007) İrritabl barsak sendromlu hastaların aleksitimi, mizaç, karakter özellikleri ve psikiyatrik tanı açısından değerlendirilmesi. Klinik Psikofarmakoloji Bülteni, 17, 186-194.
  • Yalçın, S.B., & Hamarta, E. (2013) Üniversite öğrencilerinin duygularını ifade edebilmelerinin aleksitimi ve psikolojik ihtiyaçlarına göre incelenmesi. OPUS Uluslararası Toplum Araştırmaları Dergisi, 3, 36-82.
  • Yazıcı A.C, Başterzi A., Totacar Ş., Üstünsoy D., İkizoğlu G., Demirseren D. & Kanık A. (2006) Alopesi Areata Ve Aleksitimi. Türk Psikiyatri Dergisi, 17(2), 101-106.
  • Yemez, B. (1991). Psikosomatik, Somatoform ve Diğer Bozukluklarda Aleksitimi Üzerine Kontrollü Bir Çalışma. Master Thesis . İzmir: Ege Üniversitesi İzmir.
  • Zackheim L. (2007). Alexithymia: the expanding realm of research. Journal of Psychosomatic Research; 63, 345-347
Year 2020, Volume: 1 Issue: 2, 65 - 74, 19.12.2020

Abstract

Supporting Institution

Istanbul Aydin University

References

  • Abbate-Daga G., Quaranta M., Marzola E., Amianto F., & Fassino S. (2015). The relationship between alexithymia and intolerance of uncertainty in anorexia nervosa. International Journal of Descriptive and Experimental Psychopathology, Phenomenology and Psychiatric Diagnosis, 48(3), 202–208.
  • Bagby RM, Parker JDA, & Taylor GJ. (1994). The twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale-I Item selection and cross validation of the factor structure. Journal of Psychosomosic Resarchs; 38, 23-32.
  • Batıgün AD. ve Büyükşahin A. (2008). Aleksitimi: psikolojik belirtiler ve bağlanma stilleri (İngilizce başlığını koyunuz bu parantez içine Türkçe yayınların). Klinik Psikiyatri Dergisi; 11(3), 105-114.
  • Carpenter, L., & Chung, M. C. (2011). Childhood trauma in ob43sessive compulsive disorder: The roles of alexithymia and attachment. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 84(4), 367–388.
  • Eyüpoğlu, HB. (2018) Erken Dönem Yaşantılar, Aleksitimi Ve Bedenselleştirme Arasındaki İlişkiler: Şema Terapi Modeli Çerçevesinde Bir İnceleme. Master Thesis, Istanbul Şehir University, Istanbul Turkey.
  • Freyberger H. (1977). Supportive psychotherapeutic techniques in primary and secondary alexithymia. Psychother Psychosom; 28: (1-4), 337-342.
  • Gucht, V., & Heiser, W. (2003). Alexithymia and somatisation. A quantitative review of the literature. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 54, 425– 434.
  • Güleç, H., Köse, S., Güleç, M. Y., Çitak, S., Evren, C., Borckardt, J. & Sayar, K. (2009). Reliability and factorial validity of the Turkish version of the 20-item Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS-20). Klinik Psikofarmakoloji Bülteni, 19(3), 214-220.
  • Güleç, M. Y., Kılıç, A., Gül, Ü., & Güleç, H. (2009). Psoriasis Hastalarında Aleksitimi ve Öfke. Archives Of Neuropsychiatry / Noropsikiatri Arsivi, 46(4), 169-174.
  • Güz, H., Ay, M., & Dilbaz, N. (2001). Bir Grup Dermatolojik Hastalarda Aleksitimi, Depresyon Ve Anksiyete. Düşünen Adam Dergisi, 14(2), 99-103.
  • Joukamaa, M., Mattila, A. K., Poutanen, O., Koivisto, A. M. & Salokangas, R. K. R. (2003). Alexithymia and life satisfaction ın primary healthcare patients. The Journal of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, 48 (6). 123-141.
  • Joyce A, Ogrodniczuk JS, Piper WE, & Joyce AS. (2011). Effect of alexithymia on the process and outcome of psychotherapy: A programmatic review. Journal of Psychiatry Research., 190 (1):43–48.
  • Karakıs, E. N., & Levant, R. F. (2012). Is normative male alexithymia associated with relationship satisfaction, fear of intimacy and communication quality among men in relationships? The Journal of Men’s Studies, 20, 179-186.
  • Karasar, N. (2015). Bilimsel Araştırma Yöntemi (Scientific Research Center). Ankara: Bilim Kitap Kırtasiye Yayınevi.
  • Koçak, R. (2002). Aleksitimi: Kuramsal çerçeve tedavi yaklaşımları ve ilgili araştırmalar. Ankara Üniversitesi Eğitim Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi, 35(1-2), 183- 212.
  • Kontrah, S., Novin, S., & Li, T. (2012). Is the relationship between alexithymia and aggression context-dependent? Impact of group membership and belief similarity. Personality and Individual Differences, 53, 329–334.
  • Krystal H, Giller EL, & Cicchetti DV. (1986). Assessment of alexithymia in post-traumatic stress disorder and somatic illness: introduction to a reliable measure. Psychosomatic Medicine, 48:84-94.
  • Levant, R.F., Good, G.E., Cook, S.W., O’Neil, J.M., Smalley, K.B., & Owen, K. (2006). The normative male alexithymia scale: Measurement of a gender-linked syndrome. Psychology of Men & Masculinity,7(4), 212-224.
  • Marsero, S., Ruggiero, G. M., Scarone, S., Bertelli, S., & Sassaroli, S. (2011). The relationship between alexithymia and maladaptive perfectionism in eating disorders: A mediation moderation analysis methodology. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Journal of Bulimia and Obesity, 16(3), 182-187.
  • Montebarocci, O., Codispoti, M., Baldaro, B. & Rossi, N. (2004). Adult attachment style and alexithymia. Personality and Individual Differences, 36, 499–507.
  • Ogrodniczuk J.S., Piper, W.E., & Joyce, A.S., (2011) Effect of alexithymia on the process and outcome of psychotherapy: a programmatic review. Journal of Psychiatry Research; 190 (1):43-48.
  • Oktay B, Batigün A. (2014), Aleksitimi: Baglanma, Benlik Algisi, Kisilerarasi Iliski Tarzlari ve Öfke. Türk Psikoloji Yazıları Dergisi, 17(33):31–40.
  • Sifneos PE. (1996). Alexithymia: past and present. American Journal of Psychiatry 153, 137-142.
  • Sifneos, P. E. (1973). Is Dynamic Psychotherapy Contraindicated for a Large Number of Patients with Psychosomatics Disease? Psychoteraphy Psychosomatics, 21, 133-136.
  • Taymur İ., Özen N.E., Boratav C. & Gülter S. (2007) İrritabl barsak sendromlu hastaların aleksitimi, mizaç, karakter özellikleri ve psikiyatrik tanı açısından değerlendirilmesi. Klinik Psikofarmakoloji Bülteni, 17, 186-194.
  • Yalçın, S.B., & Hamarta, E. (2013) Üniversite öğrencilerinin duygularını ifade edebilmelerinin aleksitimi ve psikolojik ihtiyaçlarına göre incelenmesi. OPUS Uluslararası Toplum Araştırmaları Dergisi, 3, 36-82.
  • Yazıcı A.C, Başterzi A., Totacar Ş., Üstünsoy D., İkizoğlu G., Demirseren D. & Kanık A. (2006) Alopesi Areata Ve Aleksitimi. Türk Psikiyatri Dergisi, 17(2), 101-106.
  • Yemez, B. (1991). Psikosomatik, Somatoform ve Diğer Bozukluklarda Aleksitimi Üzerine Kontrollü Bir Çalışma. Master Thesis . İzmir: Ege Üniversitesi İzmir.
  • Zackheim L. (2007). Alexithymia: the expanding realm of research. Journal of Psychosomatic Research; 63, 345-347
There are 29 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Psychology
Journal Section General Psychology
Authors

Hülya Erdem

Engin Eker 0000-0001-9316-7026

Publication Date December 19, 2020
Published in Issue Year 2020 Volume: 1 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Erdem, H., & Eker, E. (2020). Examination of the level of alexithymia in adult individuals in terms of different demographic factors. Psychology Research on Education and Social Sciences, 1(2), 65-74.