title: Distribution of alexithymic characteristics within an adult outpatient population.
abstract: Utilizing the MMPI Alexithymia Scale (MMPI-AS), a retrospective study was undertaken to determine the distribution of alexithymia within an outpatient population. Approximately 7.64% of the outpatient population displayed the alexithymic trait. Analysis of alexithymia by sex revealed that 10.61% of males and 5.13% of females evidenced alexithymia. This does not correspond with other studies on the distribution of alexithymia within other nonpsychosomatic populations. Issues regarding the measurement instrument, distribution of alexithymia, as well as areas for further investigation are addressed.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Feiguine
authors.forename: N F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Kassel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008950:MMPI; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D012737:Sex Factors