Journal article
A longitudinal mediational study on the stability of alexithymia among alcohol-dependent outpatients in cognitive-behavioral therapy
Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, Vol.30(1), pp.64-72
2016
PMID: 26795394
Abstract
Alexithymia is characterized by difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings, and an externally oriented thinking style. Alexithymia has been described as a trait-like risk factor for the development of alcohol use disorders. Few studies have investigated the absolute (whether mean scores change over time) and relative (extent to which relative differences among individuals remain the same over time) stability of alexithymia among men and women with alcohol dependence, or have considered potential underlying mechanisms. Social learning processes contribute to and maintain alcohol problems. The reinforcement of alcohol expectancies is one plausible mechanism that links the difficulties in emotional processing associated with alexithymia and alcohol use. The present study investigated the stability of alexithymia as well as alcohol expectancy as a mediator of alexithymia. Three hundred fifty-five alcohol-dependent patients were enrolled in a cognitive behavioral treatment program. Ninety-two alcohol-dependent patients completed assessments at baseline and at 3-month follow-up. Results indicated that total Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20; Bagby, Parker, & Taylor, 1994) mean score, difficulty identifying feelings, and difficulty describing feelings decreased significantly over time with a larger decrease in alexithymia mean scores for females. Externally oriented thinking mean scores did not change. The TAS-20 and its subfactors demonstrated significant correlations, from baseline to follow-up, which were stronger for males than for females. Regression analyses showed that the total TAS-20 mean scores, difficulty identifying feelings, and difficulty describing feelings were partially mediated through assertion alcohol expectancies. In conclusion, this suggests that alexithymia has relative stability and is a trait-like factor among alcohol-dependent treatment seekers.
Details
- Title
- A longitudinal mediational study on the stability of alexithymia among alcohol-dependent outpatients in cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Authors
- Fred Arne Thorberg (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyRoss Young (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)Karen A Sullivan (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyMichael Lyvers (Author) - Bond UniversityCameron P Hurst (Author) - Khon Kaen UniversityJason P Connor (Author) - University of QueenslandReidar Tyssen (Author) - University of OsloEdythe D London (Author) - University of California Los AngelesErnest P Noble (Author) - University of California Los AngelesGerald F X Feeney (Author) - University of Queensland
- Publication details
- Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, Vol.30(1), pp.64-72
- Publisher
- American Psychological Association
- DOI
- 10.1037/adb0000135
- ISSN
- 1939-1501
- PMID
- 26795394
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99551705302621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Psychology, Multidisciplinary
- Substance Abuse
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