title: Study on alexithymia in adult non-patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We tested the purported complex relationships between alexithymia and somatization, depression, borderline pathology and general health.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 139 medical students and 84 members of nursing personnel completed questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen (6%) alexithymic participants indicated more depression and borderline pathology and worse mental health. Path analysis confirmed a significant positive effect of borderline pathology and a significant negative effect of mental health on alexithymia but did not reveal any effects of somatization and depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Presence of borderline pathology may indicate higher probability of alexithymia.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, CH-8029 Zurich, Switzerland. modestin@bli.unizh.ch
authors.forename: Jiri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Modestin
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Furrer
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Malti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000523:psychology*