title: Cognitive alexithymia is associated with the degree of risk for psychosis.
abstract: Alexithymia is a personality construct denoting emotion processing problems. It has been suggested to encompass two dimensions: a cognitive and affective dimension. The cognitive dimension is characterized by difficulties in identifying, verbalizing and analyzing emotions, while the affective dimension reflects the level of emotional arousal and imagination. Alexithymia has been previously proposed as a risk factor for developing psychosis. More specifically, the two alexithymia dimensions might be differentially related to the vulnerability for psychosis. Therefore, we examined the two dimensions of alexithymia, measured with the BVAQ in 94 siblings of patients with schizophrenia, 52 subjects at ultra-high risk (UHR) for developing psychosis, 38 patients with schizophrenia and 109 healthy controls. The results revealed that siblings and patients had higher levels of cognitive alexithymia compared to controls. In addition, subjects at UHR for psychosis had even higher levels of cognitive alexithymia compared to the siblings. The levels of affective alexithymia in siblings and patients were equal to controls. However, UHR individuals had significantly lower levels of affective alexithymia (i.e. higher levels of emotional arousal and fantasizing) compared to controls. Alexithymia was further related to subclinical levels of negative and depressive symptoms. These findings indicate that alexithymia varies parametrically with the degree of risk for psychosis. More specifically, a type-II alexithymia pattern, with high levels of cognitive alexithymia and normal or low levels of affective alexithymia, might be a vulnerability factor for psychosis.
authors.affiliation: Neuroimaging Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Academy for sociale studies, Hanze University of Apllied Sciences, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jorien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van der Velde
authors.affiliation: Lentis, Center for Mental Healthcare, Groningen, The Netherlands; Rob Giel Research Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marte
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Swart
authors.affiliation: Clinical Child and Adolescent Studies, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: van Rijn
authors.affiliation: Lentis, Center for Mental Healthcare, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lisette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: van der Meer
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosis studies, Mental Health Care Friesland, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lex
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wunderink
authors.affiliation: Rob Giel Research Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Durk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wiersma
authors.affiliation: Rob Giel Research Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lydia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Krabbendam
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bruggeman
authors.affiliation: Neuroimaging Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aleman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult