ORCID Profile
0000-0002-8835-7631
Current Organisation
Innlandet Hospital Trust
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Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 12-07-2010
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 10-06-2013
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-04-2023
DOI: 10.1007/S10862-023-10034-Y
Abstract: Alexithymia has been linked to risky or problematic alcohol use, with a common interpretation invoking deficient emotion regulation and use of alcohol to cope with distress. An alternative explanation positing a general deficit of interoception in alexithymia suggested that poor awareness of internal cues of overconsumption may promote excessive drinking. The present study assessed predictions based on these hypotheses in 337 young adult alcohol users recruited online. Participants completed validated questionnaire indices of alcohol use, alexithymia, emotion regulation, interoceptive sensibility, and sensitivity to reward and punishment. Alcohol use was positively correlated with alexithymia and reward sensitivity, and negatively correlated with emotion regulation as expected, but was uncorrelated with interoceptive sensibility. Alexithymia was not significantly correlated with most dimensions of interoceptive sensibility but was highly negatively correlated with emotion regulation. Hierarchical regression controlling for demographic variables indicated that alexithymia, emotion regulation, sex, and sensitivity to reward and punishment were significant predictors of alcohol use levels. Bootstrapped mediation test controlling for all other variables indicated mediation of the association between alexithymia and alcohol use by deficient emotion regulation but not interoceptive sensibility. Results supported the emotion regulation deficit interpretation of the association of alexithymia with alcohol use. Limitations concerning interoception measurement, online s les, self-report measures, cross-sectional designs, and collection of data during the COVID-19 pandemic are discussed. Future research could follow up on these findings by testing interoceptive accuracy in addition to interoceptive sensibility in relation to alexithymia and alcohol use.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.PSYCHRES.2016.01.016
Abstract: Alexithymia and alcohol outcome expectancies were investigated in 355 alcohol-dependent treatment seekers. Patients with alexithymia gave stronger self-report ratings of expectancies of affective change related to beliefs that alcohol leads to negative mood states and assertion, that alcohol enhances social skills, compared to those without alexithymia. The findings suggest that alcohol-dependent outpatients with alexithymia may drink to experience intensified negative emotions and improved social functioning.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-03-2019
DOI: 10.1002/JCLP.22772
Abstract: A developmental model of alexithymia in relation to alcohol-related risk was examined. Validated indices of parental bonding, adult attachment, alexithymia, theory of mind (ToM), alcohol-related risk, and mood were administered to a nonclinical s le of 286 alcohol-using men and women. Hierarchical regression incorporating demographic and psychosocial variables accounted for 44% of the variance in alexithymia. Modeling indicated a significant path from dysfunctional maternal bonding to insecure adult attachment to alexithymia to risky drinking a separate path indicated an indirect effect of alexithymia in association between the deficient ToM and risky drinking. Findings were consistent with a developmental model where dysfunctional parental bonding in childhood manifests in adulthood as insecure attachment and alexithymia, the latter reflecting the insufficient acquisition of emotion regulation skills alexithymia, in turn, increases the risk of problematic drinking as an emotion regulation strategy.
Publisher: University of Illinois Press
Date: 10-2019
DOI: 10.5406/AMERJPSYC.132.3.0325
Abstract: Cognitive models of social anxiety posit inaccurate appraisal of emotional states as a core feature. Such inaccurate appraisal also characterizes alexithymia, a trait defined by difficulties in identifying and describing emotional feelings and an externally oriented thinking style. Because both social anxiety and alexithymia have been linked to alcohol misuse and deficient theory of mind, the degree to which alexithymia might account for these associations with social anxiety merits investigation. The current study explored relationships between social anxiety (specifically social interaction anxiety), alexithymia, problematic drinking, and theory of mind after controlling for comorbid depression in a nonclinical s le of 242 participants (93 men) ranging in age from 18 to 35 years (M = 23.22 years, SD = 4.48). They completed an online questionnaire battery that included well-known measures of social anxiety (Social Interaction Anxiety Scale), alexithymia (Toronto Alexithymia Scale 20), theory of mind (Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test Revised), depression (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-Depression Scale), and problematic drinking (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test). In hierarchical regression models, social anxiety predicted alexithymia even after depression and demographic factors were controlled for alexithymia mediated relationships between social anxiety and both problematic drinking and deficient theory of mind. Assessment of alexithymia in those with social anxiety may potentially offer insight and directions for treatment.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 12-2012
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 13-05-2011
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2010
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 09-2019
DOI: 10.1111/AJPY.12236
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-08-2023
DOI: 10.1007/S12144-022-03511-2
Abstract: A distinction has been made between primary and secondary exercise dependence, with the latter defined as excessive exercise secondary to disordered eating and weight concerns. Based on theoretical considerations from research on the roles of trait factors in addictions, the present study used validated scales to assess alexithymia, sensitivity to reward and punishment, emotion regulation and interoception in relation to exercise dependence symptoms in Australian male and female non-binge eaters ( n = 228) and severe binge eaters ( n = 126) aged 18–30 yr. In both groups, exercise dependence symptoms were significantly positively associated with reward sensitivity and interoceptive awareness, with the latter two variables predicting exercise dependence symptoms in hierarchical regression models punishment sensitivity was significantly negatively related to such symptoms. Alexithymia was significantly associated with exercise dependence symptoms only in non-binge eaters in severe binge eaters, alexithymia explained 0% of unique variance. Male sex was associated with more exercise dependence symptoms in severe binge eaters only. Participants in the severe binge group scored significantly higher on measures of exercise dependence, alexithymia, risky alcohol use, and sensitivity to reward and punishment, and significantly lower on emotion regulation, compared to those in the non-binge group. Hierarchical regression models explained 25% of variance in exercise dependence symptoms in non-binge-eaters and 43% in severe binge eaters. Findings are discussed in terms of the distinction between primary and secondary exercise dependence, the role of alexithymia, study limitations including data collection during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, and suggestions for future research.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2006
DOI: 10.1016/J.ADDBEH.2005.05.050
Abstract: Attachment, fear of intimacy and differentiation of self were examined by means of self-report questionnaires in 158 volunteers, including 99 clients enrolled in addiction treatment programs. As expected, clients (who were undergoing treatment for alcoholism, heroin addiction, hetamine/cocaine addiction or cannabis abuse) reported higher levels of insecure attachment and fear of intimacy, and lower levels of secure attachment and differentiation of self, compared to controls. Insecure attachment, high fear of intimacy and low self-differentiation appear to characterize clients enrolled in addiction treatment programs. Such characteristics may reflect a predisposition to substance problems, an effect of chronic substance problems, or conceivably both.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 11-09-2018
DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2018.1517228
Abstract: In young adults at university, social interaction anxiety has been linked to elevated risk of alcohol-related problems, as has alexithymia. The present study sought to assess whether social interaction anxiety is, like alexithymia, associated with the primary motive of drinking to cope with negative affect. There were 126 undergraduates (76 females, 50 males), aged 18-25 years, who were recruited from two southeast Queensland universities to complete validated self-report measures of problematic drinking, alexithymia, drinking motives, and social interaction anxiety. As predicted, social interaction anxiety was positively related to problematic drinking and coping motives for drinking. Alexithymia mediated the relationship of social interaction anxiety with coping motives. Findings were consistent with a developmental hypothesis of the links between social anxiety, alexithymia, and drinking motives. Given the cross-sectional design of the current study, longitudinal research is ultimately needed to confirm such interpretations of alexithymia and alcohol use among socially anxious young adults at university.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2010
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.DRUGALCDEP.2010.11.015
Abstract: Up to fifty percent of alcohol dependent in iduals have alexithymia, a personality trait characterised by difficulties identifying and describing feelings, a lack of imagination and an externalised cognitive style. Although studies have examined alexithymia in relation to alcohol dependence, no research exists on mechanisms underlying this relationship. The present study examined the mediational effect of alcohol expectancies on alexithymia and alcohol dependence. 230 outpatients completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Drinking Expectancy Questionnaire (DEQ) and the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). Regression analysis showed that alexithymia and alcohol dependence was, in two of three cases, partially mediated through alcohol expectancy. Alcohol expectancies of assertion and affective change show promise as mediators of alcohol dependence in in iduals with alexithymia.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 11-2013
DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2013.844525
Abstract: Risky or problematic alcohol use by young adults has been found to be associated with factors such as alexithymia, frontal lobe dysfunction, reward sensitivity, and impulsivity. One interpretation is that these factors reflect inherent traits that predispose to risky substance use in general, a notion examined in the present study. Alexithymia, everyday frontal lobe functioning, sensitivity to reward and punishment, and impulsivity were examined in 138 young adult cannabis users who were ided into Low Risk (n = 99) and Risky (n = 39) users according to their Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test (CUDIT) scores. Risky cannabis use was significantly positively associated with alexithymia, multiple signs of frontal lobe dysfunction in everyday life, and impulsivity. A broader pattern of dysfunction was indicated for risky cannabis use than for risky alcohol use in this s le. Findings are interpreted as likely reflecting not only inherent traits that predispose to risky substance use in general, but also perhaps residual effects of recent heavy cannabis use in the Risky user group. Longitudinal research is needed to disentangle these competing possibilities.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.PSYCHRES.2009.09.015
Abstract: Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to evaluate the factorial validity of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale in an alcohol-dependent s le. Several factor models were examined, but all models were rejected given their poor fit. A revision of the TAS-20 in alcohol-dependent populations may be needed.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-05-2013
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2014
Publisher: Emerald
Date: 10-09-2018
Abstract: The treatment of severe and chronic substance dependence is challenged by high rates of treatment attrition, highlighting the need to identify factors that hinder treatment retention. The paper aims to discuss this issue. The present study examined certain neurocognitive and personality traits in relation to treatment retention in a s le of 46 residents of an Australian therapeutic community (TC). The traits examined were previously found to be associated with problematic substance use in non-clinical s les and were also previously shown to differentiate TC clients from social drinkers. The hypothesis was thus that traits that appear to be risk factors for addictions are also likely to impact on TC treatment retention. Group comparisons of those retained for more than the recommended 90 days vs those who left treatment prematurely showed that after controlling for the influence of depression, those who left treatment prematurely reported significantly higher levels of trait impulsivity, punishment sensitivity and executive cognitive dysfunction. There was a very high rate of alexithymia in the s le (52 per cent), but alexithymia was unrelated to retention. The final s le size was less than planned but reflected the strict participation criteria and temporal limitations of this study. No statistical assumptions were violated and the reliability indices of the scales completed by clients ranged from acceptable to excellent. Another limitation was that dropout cannot be assumed to mean relapse, as the reasons for client dropout were not available. Findings highlight the important roles of trait factors in TC treatment retention in addition to the motivational and interpersonal factors identified in previous work.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2006
DOI: 10.1016/J.ADDBEH.2005.06.008
Abstract: Negative mood regulation (NMR) expectancies, stress, anxiety, depression and affect intensity were examined by means of self-report questionnaires in 158 volunteers, including 99 clients enrolled in addiction treatment programs. As expected, addicts reported significantly higher levels of stress, anxiety, depression and affect intensity and lower levels of NMR compared to non-addict controls. NMR was negatively correlated with stress, anxiety, depression and affect intensity. The findings indicate that mood self-regulation is impaired in addicts. Low NMR and high affect intensity may predispose to substance abuse and addiction, or alternatively may reflect chronic drug-induced affective dysregulation.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 09-06-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-12-2015
DOI: 10.1111/DOM.12589
Abstract: To assess the efficacy and safety of canagliflozin, a sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, in patients with type 2 diabetes enrolled in the CANagliflozin cardioVascular Assessment Study (CANVAS) who were on an incretin mimetic [dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor or glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist]. CANVAS is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study that randomized participants to canagliflozin 100 or 300 mg or placebo added to routine therapy. The present post hoc analysis assessed the efficacy and safety of canagliflozin 100 and 300 mg compared with placebo in subsets of patients from CANVAS who were taking background DPP-4 inhibitors or GLP-1 receptor agonists with or without other antihyperglycaemic agents at week 18. Of the 4330 patients in CANVAS, 316 were taking DPP-4 inhibitors and 95 were taking GLP-1 receptor agonists. At 18 weeks, canagliflozin 100 and 300 mg provided larger placebo-subtracted reductions in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in patients taking DPP-4 inhibitors [-0.56% (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.77, -0.35), and -0.75% (95% CI: -0.95, -0.54), respectively] and GLP-1 receptor agonists [-1.00% (95% CI: -1.35, -0.65), and -1.06% (95% CI: -1.43, -0.69), respectively]. Body weight and blood pressure (BP) reductions were seen with canagliflozin versus placebo in both subsets. Higher incidences of genital mycotic infections and osmotic diuresis-related adverse events (AEs) were seen with canagliflozin compared with placebo. The incidence of hypoglycaemia was numerically higher with canagliflozin versus placebo nearly all events occurred in patients on background insulin or insulin secretagogues. In patients on background incretin mimetics, canagliflozin improved HbA1c, body weight and BP, with an increased incidence of AEs related to SGLT2 inhibition.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 12-09-2018
DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2017.1366604
Abstract: Given the well-established associations of the personality traits alexithymia, impulsivity, and reward sensitivity with problematic use of a variety of substances, including alcohol and cannabis, the present study sought to determine whether daily tobacco smoking is similarly linked to these traits. Male and female adults aged 18 to 40 years were recruited from the local Australian community, allowing comparison of demographically similar s les of current daily smokers (n = 47) to never-smokers (n = 59) on the relevant self-report measures. Multivariate analysis of covariance revealed that current smokers scored significantly higher than never-smokers on indices of negative mood, impulsiveness, and risky alcohol use, after controlling for social desirability. No significant group differences were found on indices of alexithymia, reward sensitivity, or punishment sensitivity. Results suggest that chronic daily cigarette smoking may be an exception to the maladaptive behaviors associated with alexithymia, and is driven primarily by mood regulation and poor impulse control.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.ADDBEH.2010.12.016
Abstract: Up to fifty per cent of in iduals with Alcohol use disorders (AUD) also have alexithymia a personality construct hypothesized to be related to attachment difficulties. The relationship between alexithymia, craving, anxious attachment and alcohol-dependence severity was examined in 254 patients participating in a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) program for alcohol-dependence. Participants completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS), the Revised Adult Attachment Anxiety Subscale (RAAS-Anxiety) and the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). MANOVA indicated that in iduals with alexithymia reported significantly higher levels of total OCDS, obsessive thoughts about alcohol, and compulsive drinking urges and behavior, compared to the non-alexithymic group. Regression analyses found that anxious attachment partially mediated the relationship between alexithymia and craving. Anxious attachment may be a potential treatment target to reduce alcohol consumption in those with alcohol-dependence and alexithymia.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 20-08-2019
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 2008
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 04-2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.EURPSY.2010.09.010
Abstract: The primary purpose of this meta-analysis was to explore, clarify and report the strength of the relationship between alexithymia, as measured by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and parenting style as measured by the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI). Web of Science, PsycInfo, PubMed and ProQuest: Dissertations and Theses searches were undertaken, yielding nine s les with sufficient data to be included in the meta-analysis. Evidence indicated moderate to strong relationships between maternal care and alexithymia, and between maternal care and two of the three TAS-20 alexithymia facets (Difficulties Describing Feelings and Difficulties Identifying Feelings, but not Externally Oriented Thinking). Moderate relationships were observed for both maternal- and paternal-overprotection and alexithymia respectively, and for overprotection (both maternal and paternal) and Difficulties Describing Feelings. This study is the first meta-analysis of the relationship between parenting styles and alexithymia, and findings confirm an especially strong association between maternal care and key elements of alexithymia. This review highlights the issues that still remain to be addressed in exploring the link between parenting style and alexithymia.
Publisher: Massachusetts Medical Society
Date: 04-08-2016
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMP1605260
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 03-2020
DOI: 10.1111/AJPY.12258
Publisher: American Diabetes Association
Date: 02-12-2014
DOI: 10.2337/DC14-1237
Abstract: There are limited data about the effects of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors when used with insulin. We report the efficacy and safety of canagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes using insulin. The CANagliflozin CardioVascular Assessment Study is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study that randomized participants to placebo, canagliflozin 100 mg, or canagliflozin 300 mg once daily, added to a range of therapies. The primary end point of this substudy was the change in HbA1c from baseline at 18 weeks among patients using insulin 52-week effects were also examined. In iduals receiving insulin at baseline were randomized to receive placebo (n = 690), canagliflozin 100 mg (n = 692), or canagliflozin 300 mg (n = 690). These in iduals were 66% male and had a median age of 63 years, mean HbA1c of 8.3% (67 mmol/mol), BMI of 33.1 kg/m2, estimated glomerular filtration rate of 75 mL/min/1.73 m2, fasting plasma glucose of 9.2 mmol/L, and a median daily insulin dose of 60 IU. Most in iduals were using basal/bolus insulin. Reductions in HbA1c with canagliflozin 100 and 300 mg versus placebo were −0.62% (95% CI −0.69, −0.54 −6.8 mmol/mol [95% CI −7.5, −5.9] P & 0.001) and −0.73% (95% CI −0.81, −0.65 −8.0 mmol/mol [95% CI −8.9, −7.1] P & 0.001) at 18 weeks and −0.58% (95% CI −0.68, −0.48 −6.3 mmol/mol [95% CI −7.4, −5.2]) and −0.73% (95% CI −0.83, −0.63 −8.0 mmol/mol [95% CI −9.1, −6.9]) at 52 weeks. There were significant falls in fasting plasma glucose, body weight, and blood pressure at both time points and there was a greater incidence of hypoglycemia, genital mycotic infections, and hypovolemia with both canagliflozin doses. Canagliflozin added to insulin therapy improved glycemic control and decreased body weight. There was a greater frequency of several anticipated side effects, although few led to discontinuation of treatment.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 31-10-2019
DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2018.1524490
Abstract: Alexithymia, a relatively stable personality trait characterized by difficulties identifying and describing feelings and externally oriented thinking, has been linked to both substance use disorders and eating disorders. In nonclinical s les, alexithymia is associated with heavier consumption of alcohol and caffeine. Both are psychoactive drugs, but unlike most drugs they are typically consumed in the context of palatable and calorie-rich products. Given the association of alexithymia with disordered eating, the present study evaluated the hypothesis that heavier consumption of caffeine by those with high levels of alexithymia may be motivated by the palatable and caloric aspects of common caffeine products rather than by drug-seeking. There were 224 participants aged 17-63 years who completed instruments assessing demographics, alexithymia, emotional eating, caffeine consumption, alcohol consumption, negative moods, and reward sensitivity. As predicted, alexithymia was positively related to emotional eating as well as consumption of caffeine and alcohol, and alexithymia was a significant predictor of caffeine intake in regression models. However, there was no indication of mediation by emotional eating. Alexithymia is characterized by deficient emotion regulation and negative moods, hence use of drugs and/or foods to regulate emotions, combined with poor interoceptive awareness, may account for excessive consumption of drugs or foods as alternative emotion regulation strategies in those with high levels of this trait.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 06-05-2014
Publisher: Massachusetts Medical Society
Date: 17-08-2017
Publisher: University of Illinois Press
Date: 04-2018
DOI: 10.5406/AMERJPSYC.131.1.0041
Abstract: Both alcohol misuse and the externally oriented thinking (EOT) facet of alexithymia are associated with deficits in facial emotion recognition and emotional empathy. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether EOT mediates the association of drinking with these deficits, and to test the hypothesis that impaired facial emotion recognition mediates the relationship between EOT and low emotional empathy, in a nonclinical s le. The s le consisted of 161 men and women who completed an online survey that included the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). In addition to replicating associations between TAS-20 and other measures, EOT was found to mediate relationships between potential alcohol misuse (as indexed by AUDIT) and facial emotion recognition (as indexed by RMET) as well as emotional empathy (as indexed by the corresponding subscale of the IRI) after controlling for mood and demographic variables. The negative relationship between EOT and emotional empathy was mediated by impaired facial emotion recognition. Present findings point to a likely role of the EOT trait in the reported associations of alcohol misuse with both poor emotion recognition and low emotional empathy, and a mediating role of poor emotion recognition in the relationship of EOT to the latter.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 15-10-2019
DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2018.1512628
Abstract: Personality traits previously known as risk factors for alcohol use disorder (AUD) were assessed in 29 young adult children of alcoholics (COAs) and 68 young adult children of nonalcoholics (non-COAs). Male and female university students (M Results indicated that personality traits of alexithymia, reward sensitivity, and impulsivity, as well as negative moods, were significantly elevated in COAs compared to non-COAs, independent of current alcohol consumption and drinking history. Findings are consistent with familial transmission of AUD-associated personality traits in COAs, presumably via influences of genetics and/or familial environment.
Publisher: The International Academic Forum (IAFOR)
Date: 13-12-2017
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 28-07-2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2012
DOI: 10.1016/J.ADDBEH.2011.10.012
Abstract: Recent studies have indicated that 45-67% of those in treatment for alcohol use disorders suffer from alexithymia, a multifaceted personality trait characterized by difficulties identifying and describing emotions and an externally oriented cognitive style. The high reported prevalence rates of alexithymia among those with alcohol dependence led to speculation that alexithymia is a personality dimension that may predispose to risky or problematic alcohol use. This notion was examined in 314 adult volunteers (54% female) aged 18-45 years (M=27.6 years), all of whom reported at least occasional alcohol consumption, who completed online surveys assessing alexithymia (Toronto Alexithymia Scale, or TAS-20), parental alcoholism (Children of Alcoholics Screening Test, or CAST), everyday signs of frontal lobe dysfunction (Frontal Systems Behavior Scale, or FrSBe) and risky alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, or AUDIT). TAS-20 scores were positively correlated with the index of parental alcoholism CAST, index of frontal lobe dysfunction FrSBe and measure of alcohol-related problems AUDIT. Chi-square test showed an association between TAS-20-defined alexithymia and being the offspring of an alcoholic parent as defined by CAST. Regression analysis showed that frontal lobe dysfunction (FrSBe) mediated the relationship between alexithymia (TAS-20 total score) and risky alcohol use (AUDIT). The findings suggest that alexithymia is related to deficiencies in frontal lobe functioning that may reflect a heritable predisposition to alcohol problems.
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 02-2016
DOI: 10.1037/ADB0000135
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 in iduals 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.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 08-08-2014
DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2014.942043
Abstract: Abstract Alexithymia refers to difficulties with identifying, describing, and regulating one's own emotions. This trait dimension has been linked to risky or harmful use of alcohol and illicit drugs however, the most widely used psychoactive drug in the world, caffeine, has not been examined previously in relation to alexithymia. The present study assessed 106 male and female university students aged 18-30 years on their caffeine use in relation to several traits, including alexithymia. The 18 participants defined as alexithymic based on their Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) scores reported consuming nearly twice as much caffeine per day as did non-alexithymic or borderline alexithymic participants. They also scored significantly higher than controls on indices of frontal lobe dysfunction as well as anxiety symptoms and sensitivity to punishment. In a hierarchical linear regression model, sensitivity to punishment negatively predicted daily caffeine intake, suggesting caffeine avoidance by trait-anxious in iduals. Surprisingly, however, TAS-20 alexithymia scores positively predicted caffeine consumption. Possible reasons for the positive relationship between caffeine use and alexithymia are discussed, concluding that this outcome is tentatively consistent with the hypo-arousal model of alexithymia.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 19-05-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2017
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 19-12-2020
Abstract: Like alcohol or other drugs, music is often enjoyed by humans for its mood-altering effects. However, there is substantial in idual variation in emotional responding to music (ERM). The present study investigated potential roles of trait variables in ERM. Recruitment and testing of 205 adult regular music listeners was accomplished online. They were asked to complete the Geneva Emotional Music Scale (GEMS) retrospectively by rating the felt intensity of 45 music-related emotions based on what they typically experienced when listening to their favorite music. They also completed instruments assessing traits of alexithymia, affect intensity, and empathy, as well as the Big Five factors. Alexithymia, affect intensity, and empathy, but not the Big Five, were moderately positively correlated with ERM as measured by GEMS. In a hierarchical regression, alexithymia and empathy were significant positive predictors of ERM after controlling for the other variables extraversion was also significant in the final model. The role of empathy as a predictor of ERM was consistent with the emotional contagion interpretation of ERM. The unexpected positive relationship of alexithymia with ERM suggests that alexithymic listeners may rely on music to help them experience emotions more fully. Limitations and potential implications of the findings are discussed.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2009
DOI: 10.1016/J.ADDBEH.2008.10.016
Abstract: All human beings experience emotion. However a number of in iduals have difficulties recognising, processing and regulating their emotions. This set of emotional "deficits' is classified as alexithymia. The prevalence rate of alexithymia in alcohol use disorders is between 45 and 67%. The objective of this paper is to review the published research on alexithymia and alcohol use, assess the methodological quality of this evidence, and draw the findings together to present a critical update on the relationship between alexithymia and alcohol use disorders. Yet, few research studies have comprehensively investigated alexithymia in alcohol use disorders, and a number of key issues still remain to be addressed in exploring the veracity of the link between alexithymia and alcohol use. For ex le, limited evidence exists regarding the association between alexithymia, alcohol consumption and severity of alcohol dependence. Furthermore, there is no current knowledge about the predictive utility of alexithymia in relation to more well researched and established psychological drinking constructs. Although alexithymia is often considered a risk factor for the development of alcohol use disorders, there is little evidence to support this notion. Given that alexithymia may have the potential to interfere with treatment outcomes, a better understanding of the role of alexithymia in alcohol use is needed.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2014
Location: Australia
No related grants have been discovered for Fred Arne Thorberg.