Alexithymia - State or trait? One-year follow-up study of general hospital psychiatric consultation out-patients

Author(s): Saarijarvi, S., Aairela, E., Tamminen, T.

Journal/Book: J Psychosom Res. 1994; 38: The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, United Kingdom. Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd. 681-685.

Abstract: We carried out a 1-year follow-up study on 54 out of 80 general hospital psychiatric consultation out-patients. Alexithymic features were measured by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), and self-reported psychological distress with the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Men were more alexithymic and distressed than women both at the baseline and at the follow-up evaluations. The degree of alexithymia in both genders remained consistent, whereas psychological distress decreased significantly in both genders during the follow-up period. Therefore we conclude that alexithymia presents a constant trait in psychiatric consultation out-patients.

Note: Article JK Salminen, Social Insurance Inst, Rehabil Res Ctr, Peltolantie 3, SF-20720 Turku, Finland

Keyword(s): SECONDARY ALEXITHYMIA; VALIDITY; SCALE

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