Study of alexithymia trait based on Big-Five Personality Dimensions

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the relationship between Big Five personality traits and alexithymia and to determine differences of alexithymic compare with non- alexithymic individuals in these personality traits in university students. In present study, 150 university students at Tabriz University were selected and asked to answer NEO – Five Factor Inventory (NEO - FFI), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS - 20). Results showed that there are negative and significant relationships between conscientiousness and openness to experiences with alexithymia and positive and significant relationships between neuroticism with alexithymia. As well as, there is significant difference between alexithymic and non-alexithymic individuals in neuroticism and openness to experiences. In one hand, these results suggest that neuroticism, conscientiousness and openness to experiences are determinant of alexithymia; and in the other hand, high level of neuroticism and low level of openness to experiences are the characteristic of alexithymic people based on Big-five. Therefore, it can be conclude that high neuroticism and low openness to experiences are the alexithymic individual’s traits.