Citation

Dabkowska M. Psychiatr. Pol. 2007; 41(6): 851-862.

Vernacular Title

Ocena zaleznosci miedzy czynnikami emocjonalnymi i poznawczymi aleksytymii a

Affiliation

Katedra i Klinika Psychiatrii CM w Bydgoszczy, UMK w Toruniu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Panstwowy Zaklad Wydawnictw Lekarskich)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

18540427

Abstract

AIM: Alexythymia has been reported in various psychiatric disorders, also in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The 20-item Toronto Alexythymia Scale (TAS-20) measures three inter-correlated dimensions ofalexythymia: 1. difficulties in identifying feelings, 2. difficulties in describing feelings, 3. externally oriented thinking. The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between factors of TAS-20 and intensification of PTSD symptoms. METHOD: Presence and a degree of alexythymia were estimated using three factorial 20-point self-assessment Toronto Alexythymia Scale. Diagnosis and a degree of intensification of PTSD was based on C.G. Watson's et al. PTSD-I. The study group consisted of 30 women who have experienced domestic violence. Women were residents of hostels for victims of domestic violence or residents of the Lonely Mother House. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between factor 2 (difficulties describing feelings) scores of TAS-20 and intensification of PTSD (correlation is significant at the 0.05 level, Spearman's correlation coefficient 0.383, p = 0.037). There was no significant relationship between the scores of PTSD-I and the scores of sub-factors 1 and 3. The results emphasize, in addition to the TAS-20 total score, the three sub-factors providing information about whether cognitive and/or affective aspects of alexythymia are associated with posttraumatic stress disorder. CONCLUSION: The most significant factor determining occurrence of PTSD symptoms in the study group of women who have experienced domestic violence was a difficulty in verbalising emotions.

Language: pl