Evidence of contrasting patterns for suppression and reappraisal emotion regulation strategies in alexithymia.

[en] Alexithymia generally refers to difficulties in identifying and describing emotions. In this paper, two studies explored whether the emotional deficits observed in alexithymia may be related to the use of emotional regulation strategies. Relations with various socio-demographic variables were also explored. In the first study, 255 students completed the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20. For the second study, 1107 participants from the general population completed the ERQ and the Bermond-Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire. Results demonstrated that alexithymia was related to the use of a suppression strategy and in particular to difficulties verbalizing emotions, suggesting that the capacity to communicate and name one’s emotion is a central aspect in alexithymia. Concerning socio-demographic variables, alexithymia and the use of a suppression strategy were found to be related to age and to be higher in males. The results of these studies and their clinical implications for treatment are discussed.

Disciplines :

Theoretical & cognitive psychology

Author, co-author :

Laloyaux, Julien ; Université de Liège > Département de Psychologie : cognition et comportement > Psychologie clinique cognitive et comportementale

Fantini, Carole

Lemaire, Morgan ; Université de Liège > Département de Psychologie : cognition et comportement > Psycho. de la personnalité et des différences individuelles

Luminet, Olivier

Laroi, Frank ; Université de Liège > Département de Psychologie : cognition et comportement > Psychologie clinique cognitive et comportementale

Language :

English

Title :

Evidence of contrasting patterns for suppression and reappraisal emotion regulation strategies in alexithymia.

Publication date :

2015

Journal title :

Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease

ISSN :

0022-3018

eISSN :

1539-736X

Publisher :

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Hagerstown, United States - Maryland

Volume :

209

Issue :

Pages :

709-717

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Available on ORBi :

since 01 July 2015

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