title: [Alexithymia and specific relationship patterns in a clinical sample].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Alexithymia is characterized by deficits in perceiving, differentiating and regulating affects, both one's own affects and those of others. It is often related to interpersonal problems which are a major reason for seeking psychotherapy. This study assesses the relationship between alexithymia, specific relationship patterns and interpersonal problems in a clinical inpatient sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated alexithymia (Toronto-Alexithymia-Scale-26: TAS-26), relationship patterns (Relationship Patterns Questionnaire-II; RPQ-II) and interpersonal problems (Inventory of Interpersonal Problems: IIP) in 152 patients with various mental disorders upon admission to an inpatient clinic for psychosomatic medicine and psychotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Alexithymia (TAS-20) was significantly negatively associated with self-assertion (RPQII) and significantly positively associated with overall interpersonal problems (IIP-total score). Specifically, the interpersonal style associated with alexithymia was characterized by cold, socially avoidant, nonassertive and exploitable behavior (IIP-subscales).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alexithymia in patients with mental disorders is linked to specific relationship patterns and interpersonal problems at the beginning of an inpatient psychotherapy. Because interpersonal problems, and especially the therapeutic alliance, are strong predictors of outcome in individual psychotherapy, specific attention should be paid to this relationship in the treatment of alexithymic patients.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg GmbH, Standort Gießen, Friedrichstraße 28, 35392 Gießen.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hermes
authors.forename: Uta
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bierther
authors.forename: Regina A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kurth
authors.forename: Falk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Leichsenring
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Leweke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D001242:Assertiveness; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009769:Object Attachment; D010343:Patient Admission; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D011613:Psychotherapy; D055815:Young Adult