Does alexithymia expose to mental disorder symptoms in late adolescence? A 4-year follow-up study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the possible causal link between alexithymia and the emergence of anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as alcohol consumption in a sample of late adolescents. MethodThe nonclinical sample comprised late adolescents (n=315), including both females (n=256) and males (n=59). The follow-up period was 4 years, and at baseline, the mean age of the subjects was 19 years (range 17−21 years). Alexithymia was measured with the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), depression symptoms with the short form of the Beck Depression Inventory (RBDI), anxiety with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and alcohol consumption with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). The three TAS-20 subscales were assessed separately. Linear and cumulative logistic regression analyses were used for the evaluation of associations, and the analyses were adjusted with the corresponding baseline scores. ResultsThe TAS-20 total and subscale scores did not predict the RBDI or AUDIT scores at follow-up. However, the TAS-20 subscale “difficulty identifying feelings” was significantly associated with both STAI-State (P=.007) and STAI-Trait (P=.004) scores at follow-up. ConclusionsAlexithymic features may be individual predictors of later anxiety symptoms. The significant differences between the various dimensions of alexithymia should be considered in future studies.