Relationships between the emotional and cognitive components of alexithymia and dependency in alcoholics

Author(s): Otmani, O., Lecercle, C., Jouvent, R.

Journal/Book: Psychiat Res. 2000; 96: Customer Relations Manager Bay 15, Shannon Industrial Estate CO, Clare, Ireland. Elsevier Sci Ireland Ltd. 63-74.

Abstract: Several authors have shown that alexithymia, emotional and perceptual dependency characterize patients suffering from substance abuse. The aim of the study is to test the hypothesis that the emotional and cognitive components of alexithymia are associated with dependency in alcoholics. Three groups were investigated: 60 inpatients meeting the DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence, 57 healthy subjects, 144 university students. All subjects completed the following rating scales: The 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Inter personal Dependency Inventory (IDI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Embedded Figures Test (EFT). Partial correlations, using the BDI scorn as constant, were calculated. In normal subjects, the 'Emotion' subscale of the TAS-20 correlated with the 'Lack of social self-confidence' subscale of the IDI and the 'Cognitive' subscale of the TAS-20 did not correlate with the EFT score. In alcoholics, the 'Cognitive' subscale of the TAS-20 correlated with the 'Lack of social self-confidence' subscale, with the EFT score and with the 'Affirmation of autonomy' subscale. A particular cognitive style characterized by externally oriented thinking, affirmation of autonomy as denial of emotional dependency and field dependence could characterize alcoholics.

Note: Article Loas G, Serv Hosp Univ Psychiat, Hop Pinel, Route Paris Dury, F-80044 Amiens 01, FRANCE

Keyword(s): alcoholism; defensive style; emotion; INTERPERSONAL DEPENDENCY; PSYCHIATRIC-INPATIENTS; SECONDARY ALEXITHYMIA; DIAGNOSTIC-CRITERIA; CONSTRUCT-VALIDITY; FRENCH VERSION; SCALE; INVENTORY; RELIABILITY; DEPRESSION

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