Stability of alexithymia is low from adolescence to young adulthood, and the consistency of alexithymia is associated with symptoms of depression and dissociation

Virve Kekkonen, Siiri Liisi Kraav, Jukka Hintikka, Petri Kivimäki, Outi Kaarre, Tommi Tolmunen

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

    7 Citations (Scopus)
    28 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Background: The aims of this study were to investigate the stability of alexithymia from adolescence to young adulthood, as well as the association between alexithymia, peer relationships, and symptoms of depression and dissociation. Methods: The participants (n = 755, aged 13–18 years) were assessed with self-rated questionnaires and the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) at baseline in 2005 and on follow-up in 2011. Results: The changes in the TAS-20 total score (t = −12.26) and the scores for its subscales, difficulty identifying feelings (DIF) (t = −4.04), difficulty describing feelings (DDF) (t = −5.10), and externally oriented thinking (EOT) (t = −18.23), were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Effect sizes (Cohen's d) for the change indicating absolute stability were small for DIF (−0.15) and DDF (−0.19), medium for TAS-20 total (−0.45), and large for EOT (−0.66) scores. Moderate correlations in test–retests with Spearman's ρ (TAS-20 total 0.46, DIF 0.41, DDF 0.39, EOT 0.43) indicated relative stability, whereas low intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) (respectively 0.41, 0.39, 0.37, 0.37) indicated poor reliability of test–retests. In regression analyses, poor relationships with peers, loneliness, and symptoms of depression and dissociation at baseline associated with alexithymia at baseline and on follow-up. Unlike EOT, increases in the TAS-20 total, DIF, and DDF scores during the 6-year follow-up associated with baseline symptoms of depression and dissociation. Conclusions: Alexithymia in adolescence is not always a reliable predictor of alexithymia in young adulthood. Mental health symptoms appear to affect the consistency of alexithymia during adolescent development.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number110629
    JournalJournal of Psychosomatic Research
    Volume150
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2021
    Publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

    Keywords

    • Alexithymia
    • Depression
    • Development
    • Dissociative disorders
    • Loneliness
    • Youth

    Publication forum classification

    • Publication forum level 1

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Clinical Psychology
    • Psychiatry and Mental health

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