The Convergence of Alexithymia Measures

Abstract

The construct of alexithymia is most frequently measured by means of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale . However a number of other instruments have been developed to compensate for problems with measuring alexithymia through self-report measures. Convergence between the different alexithymia measures is rarely studied. This study investigates the convergence among the TAS-20, the Observer Alexithymia Scale (OAS), the Toronto Structured Interview for Alexithymia (TSIA), the modified Beth Israel Hospital Psychosomatic Questionnaire (M-BIQ), and the alexithymia dimensions as judged by the treating psychologist in an inpatient sample (N = 80). Correlations between the total scores were all significant. However exploratory factor analyses of these measures and their subscales indicate that they do not tap into one underlying factor. It is concluded that the TSIA and the M-BIQ are the best indicators of alexithymia, yet a multi-method approach and care in interpreting results are warranted.

Alexithymic features and the labeling of brief emotional facial expressions – An fMRI study

“…The correlation of r ¼.45 between self-report (TAS-20) and observer-rated (TSIA) measure of alexithymia in the current study is comparable with correlations found in other studies in which TAS-20 and TSIA have been administered. Bagby et al (2006), for example, reported a correlation of r¼ .36 in normal participants, whereas correlation coefficients of r ¼.34 (Inslegers et al, 2013), r ¼ .49 , or r ¼47 (Meganck et al, 2011) have been observed in patient samples. Caretti et al (2011) reported a correlation of r ¼.44 in a mixed sample of patients and healthy controls.…”

Being alexithymic: Necessity or convenience. Negative emotionality × avoidant coping interactions and alexithymia

“…First, we relied exclusively on self-reported measures. The literature suggests that multi-method assessments (e.g., self-reporting, interviews and observation) should be used when measuring alexithymia, to minimize measurement errors (e.g., Meganck, Inslegers, Vanheule, & Desmet, 2011;Taylor & Bagby, 2004;Waller & Scheidt, 2004). Moreover, it is arguable that the way people represent and regulate emotions is, to an important extent, implicit (e.g., Westen & Blagov, 2007).…”

The Dutch Language Version of the Toronto Structured Interview for Alexithymia: Reliability, Factor Structure and Concurrent Validity

“…Moreover, a Dutch study in a clinical population is the first -to our knowledge -that examined the convergence between more than two alexithymia measures simultaneously (Meganck, Inslegers, Vanheule, & Desmet, 2011). In this study an exploratory factor analysis was conducted of the subscales of four alexithymia measures [TAS-20, TSIA, Observer Alexithymia Scale (OAS;Haviland, Warren, & Riggs, 2000), modified Beth Israel Hospital Psychosomatic Questionnaire (mBIQ; ] and four facets of the alexithymia construct rated by the treating psychologist.…”