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Attachment Styles and Alexithymia
Mohammad Ali Besharat, Ph.D.*, (University of Tehran)
Abstract: The relation between attachment styles and alexithymia were investigated in a sample of students. A correlational analysis was performed to assess the kind of association existing among attachment styles (secure, avoidant, and ambivalent), with alexithymia and its three components which include difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings, and externally oriented thinking. Three hundred and six students (136 male, 170 female) from the University of Tehran participated in the study. All participants were asked to complete the Adult Attachment Inventory (AAI) and Farsi version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (FTAS-20). Data analysis involved both descriptive and inferential statistics including mean, standard deviation, multivariate analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and regression analysis. Secure attachment style showed a significant negative association with alexithymia, while insecure attachment styles showed significant positive association with alexithymia. Results of regression analysis also revealed that avoidant attachment style can predict changes of difficulty describing feelings, while ambivalent attachment style Could predict difficulty identifying feelings and externally oriented thinking. It can be concluded that attachment styles are associated with alexithymia and its components. Results and implications are discussed.
KeyWords: Attachment; Alexithymia, Regulation of emotion ___________________________ * This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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