A longitudinal mediational study on the stability of alexithymia among alcohol-dependent outpatients in cognitive-behavioral therapy

Psychology of Addictive Behaviors : Journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors
Fred Arne ThorbergGerald F X Feeney

Abstract

Alexithymia is characterized by difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings, and an externally oriented thinking style. Alexithymia has been described as a trait-like risk factor for the development of alcohol use disorders. Few studies have investigated the absolute (whether mean scores change over time) and relative (extent to which relative differences among individuals remain the same over time) stability of alexithymia among men and women with alcohol dependence, or have considered potential underlying mechanisms. Social learning processes contribute to and maintain alcohol problems. The reinforcement of alcohol expectancies is one plausible mechanism that links the difficulties in emotional processing associated with alexithymia and alcohol use. The present study investigated the stability of alexithymia as well as alcohol expectancy as a mediator of alexithymia. Three hundred fifty-five alcohol-dependent patients were enrolled in a cognitive behavioral treatment program. Ninety-two alcohol-dependent patients completed assessments at baseline and at 3-month follow-up. Results indicated that total Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20; Bagby, Parker, & Taylor, 1994) mean score, difficulty identifying feelin...Continue Reading

Citations

Oct 16, 2018·Substance Use & Misuse·Michael LyversFred Arne Thorberg
Nov 15, 2018·The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse·Jani KajanojaHasse Karlsson
Aug 21, 2019·Substance Use & Misuse·Fred Arne ThorbergGerald F X Feeney
Aug 6, 2018·Evidence-based Mental Health·Hilary NormanAndrea Oskis
Jul 25, 2020·Scandinavian Journal of Psychology·Hilary NormanMark Coulson

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