title: Cross-cultural validation of a Chinese translation of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of the present study was to develop a Chinese translation of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20-C) and examine its reliability and factorial validity.
  
  
  METHODS
  The original English version of the TAS-20 was first translated into Chinese and then backtranslated and modified until cross-language equivalence was established. This version was then completed by 870 undergraduate students and 179 clinical patients in China. Internal reliability, retest reliability, and factorial validity were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The TAS-20-C showed adequate internal and retest reliability in both samples. Average TAS-20-C scores in Chinese samples were slightly higher than, but comparable to, TAS-20 scores in English-speaking Canadian samples; as well, scores were higher in the clinical sample than in the student sample. Finally, confirmatory factor analysis supported the 3-factor structure of the TAS-20 in both samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The TAS-20-C is a promising instrument for reliable and valid measurement of alexithymia in China.
authors: The Medical Psychological Research Center, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, PR China.
authors: Xiongzhao
authors: X
authors: Zhu
authors: Jinyao
authors: J
authors: Yi
authors: Shuqiao
authors: S
authors: Yao
authors: Andrew G
authors: AG
authors: Ryder
authors: Graeme J
authors: GJ
authors: Taylor
authors: R Michael
authors: RM
authors: Bagby
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014177:Translations