Alexithymia and eating disorder symptoms in adolescents.
An increasing amount of evidence indicates an association between alexithymia and eating disorder symptoms. This possible association was evaluated in a non-clinical sample of late adolescents. Seven hundred and twenty nine adolescents completed the questionnaire and formed the final sample. Alexithymia was measured using the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale and eating disorder symptoms were assessed using the SCOFF questionnaire. The rate of alexithymia was 8.2%, without any gender difference. The mean SCOFF scores differed significantly between alexithymic and non-alexithymic subjects, and the share of SCOFF positive subjects was significantly higher among alexithymics. The results suggest that eating disorder symptoms are more common in alexithymic adolescents.
Karukivi
Max
M
Unit of Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
Hautala
Lea
L
Korpelainen
Jan
J
Haapasalo-Pesu
Kirsi-Maria
KM
Liuksila
Pirjo-Riitta
PR
Joukamaa
Matti
M
Saarijarvi
Simo
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult