Impact of the interaction between alexithymia and the adult attachment styles in participants with alcohol use disorder.

Abstract

The current study aims to investigate the effect of the interaction between adult attachment styles and alexithymia among participants with alcohol use disorder (AUD). This study is cross-sectional, conducted between November 2017 and March 2018, which enrolled 789 community-dwelling participants. The interaction between alexithymia and secure relationship tended to significance (p=0.057). Higher interaction between alexithymia and a fearful relationship style (β=0.04) were significantly associated with higher AUD. The interaction model revealed the importance of stratifying the results according to presence/absence of alexithymia. Being a female and having a secure relationship style were significantly associated with lower AUD in both groups. Being divorced was significantly associated with higher AUD in both groups. Increasing age (β=-1.48), secondary (β=-4.65), and university level of education (β=-6.46) were significantly associated with lower AUD in the non-alexithymic group. Intermediate monthly income (β=2.69) and being widowed (β=8.24) were significantly associated with higher AUD in the non-alexithymic group. High monthly income (β=3.46) was significantly associated with higher AUD in the alexithymic group. The results of this study showed that the consideration of the combination between attachment styles and alexithymia is of significance in the diagnosis and therapy of alcohol use disorders.