An evaluation of the absolute and relative stability of alexithymia in women with breast cancer

Abstract

Objectives In the controversy for alexithymia as a state or a trait dimension, recent studies showed that, whereas absolute changes (i.e., extent of alexithymia scores change over time) were observed, alexithymia was relatively stable (i.e., extent to which relative differences among individuals remain the same over time). The present study extended this question by investigating a disease with highly threatening outcomes (breast cancer), by looking at changes in depression and anxiety, and by examining stability for total and factor alexithymia scores. Methods One hundred twenty-two women in treatment for a first instance of breast cancer were assessed for alexithymia (TAS-20), depression, and anxiety (HADS) the day before surgery (T1) and six months later (T2). Results Alexithymia scores changed from baseline to follow-up (lack of absolute stability). Strong evidence of relative stability was also demonstrated, as alexithymia scores at baseline correlated significantly with alexithymia scores at follow-up and were also a significant predictor of follow-up alexithymia scores, after partialling the effects of depression and anxiety severity. Changes in alexithymia were explained only to a small extent by changes in depression and anxiety from T1 to T2. Results at the factor level revealed that “difficulty identifying feelings” follow-up and change score accounted for the highest variations in depression and anxiety, and “externally oriented thinking” for the lowest ones. Conclusions The finding of relative stability of alexithymia supports the view that this construct is a stable personality trait rather than a state-dependent phenomenon, even in a context of high threat for physical and psychological integrity.