Alexithymia in women and men hospitalized for psychoactive substance dependence.
Self-report alexithymia, depression, and anxiety inventories were completed by 204 (84 women and 120 men) psychoactive substance-dependent patients during their first week of hospitalization. Eighty-five of the 204 patients (41.7%) scored in the alexithymic range on the revised Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Women's average alexithymia, depression (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]), and anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State [STAI-S]) scores were higher than men's average scores. Ethnic (Hispanic whites v non-Hispanic whites) and diagnostic (alcohol v drug v mixed-substance dependence) group differences were not significant. To examine the interrelationships among alexithymia, depression, and anxiety, a causal model confirmed in medical students was tested. The model was reconfirmed; state anxiety predicted depression and alexithymia, and depression predicted alexithymia. These findings are consistent with previous research and compatible with the view that a state of alexithymia can result from severe anxiety and depression.
Haviland
M G
MG
Department of Psychiatry, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, CA 92350.
Hendryx
M S
MS
Shaw
D G
DG
Henry
J P
JP
D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs