| Relationships between Alexithymia, Emotional Control and Quality of Life in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease | |
| Ver�ssimo R, Mota-Cardoso R, Taylor G. | |
| Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 1998; 67: 61-70 | |
| Keywords: | Alexithymia, Emotional Control, Quality of Life, Inflammatory Bowel Disease. |
Abstract: |
This study examined the relationships between alexithymia, emotional control, and health-related quality of life in a sample of 74 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The subjects completed the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Emotional Expression and Control Scale, and the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) for assessing quality of life. The results show that alexythymia and emotional control are negatively related constructs and that each construct has an independent effect on quality of life. Whereas the TAS-20 correlated negatively and significantly with the IBDQ global score and with subscales assessing bowel symptoms, systemic symptoms, and emotional functioning, the emotional control subscale of the EEC correlated positively and significantly with these measures. Alexithymia and quality of life were unrelated to tendencies to either hold emotions in or express emotions outwardly. Multiple regression analysis revealed that alexithymia, and to a lesser extent emotional control, play a role in predicting quality of life in patients with IB. |
| Reprints: | Ramiro Ver�ssimo Psicologia M�dica |