Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on alexithymia: a systematic review

Abstract

Findings from our study should be replicated in further research with larger samples; however, the results indicate that mindfulness-based interventions may be an effective treatment in reducing alexithymia.

Myocardial infarction-induced acute stress and post-traumatic stress symptoms: the moderating role of an alexithymia trait – difficulties identifying feelings

“…In-hospital evaluation of DIF along with ASS may be useful for early detection of patients at risk of developing PTSS after hospital discharge. Moreover, it may be possible to lower the risk of future PTSS in patients with high levels of ASS through interventions targeting DIF, such as mindfulness-based strategies (Norman, Marzano, Coulson, & Oskis, 2019).…”

The relationship between self‐harm and alexithymia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Understanding the relationship between alexithymia and self‐harm, therefore, may help to inform clinical interventions based on improving emotion regulation strategies. Originally seen as a stable trait, the evidence now suggests that alexithymia can be modified through targeted interventions (Norman, Marzano, Coulson & Oskis, 2019) which makes it a worthwhile focus of study in the context of self‐harm.…”

The association between alexithymia, emotional intelligence and burnout among nursing assistants working in nursing home settings: A cross‐sectional study

“…The lack of self-esteem would lead these individuals to constantly need external TA B L E 2 Hierarchical regression analysis: regressing alexithymia and emotional intelligence on i) emotional exhaustion, ii) depersonalization and iii) personal accomplishment evaluation and feedback instead of taking into account their own opinion. The fact that alexithymia is associated with poor self-esteem (Mousavi & Alavinezhad, 2016) and that it is also a significant explanatory variable of interpersonal problems (Zarei & Besharat, 2010), suggests that alexithymic NAs may suffer negative external evaluations from colleagues, older people and their families and therefore see themselves as unaccomplished at work.…”

“…Alexithymia has been characterized as a personality trait comprising multiple facets, namely difficulty identifying and describing feelings towards others, and distinguishing these feelings from body sensations, a limited capacity for fantasy and a utilitarian and externally oriented thinking style (Nemiah, Freyberger, & Sifneos, 1976;Taylor & Bagby, 2000). Nowadays, it is also conceptualized as a deficit in cognitive processing and emotion regulation, or as a lack of emotional skills (Luminet, Rimé, Bagby, & Taylor, 2004;Lumley, Neely, & Burger, 2007).…”

“…It is worth noting that there is evidence for the efficacy of group therapy in reducing alexithymia and training programmes designed to increase awareness of bodily sensations and related emotions appear to be effective (Lumley et al, 2007). For example, some recent studies support the effectiveness of mindfulness programmes in reducing both alexithymia and burnout (Luken & Sammons, 2016;Norman, Marzano, Coulson, & Oskis, 2019;Turkal, Richardson, Cline, & Guimond, 2018).…”