Vittorio Lenzo1, Nadia Barberis2, Marco Cannavò2, Antonella Filastro3, Valeria Verrastro4, Maria Catena Quattropani2. 1. Department of Human, Social and Health Sciences University of Cassino and South Latium, Cassino, Italy. 2. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. 3. IPUE - Istituto di Psicologia Umanistica Esistenziale "Luigi De Marchi", Rome, Italy. 4. Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, Italy.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Research suggests that alexithymia is a significant element for emotion processing, while defense mechanisms proved to be important factors for adjusting to stressful life events and to cope with potential psychopathologies. AIMS: The aims of the present study are to examine the relationships between alexithymia, defense mechanisms, depression, anxiety and eating disorders and to examine the mediation role of defense mechanisms in the relation between alexithymia and anxiety, depression and eating disorders. MATERIAL: In a sample of 283 subjects, aged 18-49 (M=2.33, DS=4.81), instruments were administered to measure alexithymia, defense mechanisms, depression, anxiety and eating disorders. RESULTS: This study showed that alexithymia was positively related to anxiety, depression, general psychological maladjustment, eating disorder risk, maladaptive style defense mechanisms, image-distorting style defense mechanisms, self-sacrificing style defense mechanisms, whereas it was negatively related to Mature Style Defense Mechanisms. Implications of the findings are discussed.
INTRODUCTION: Research suggests that alexithymia is a significant element for emotion processing, while defense mechanisms proved to be important factors for adjusting to stressful life events and to cope with potential psychopathologies. AIMS: The aims of the present study are to examine the relationships between alexithymia, defense mechanisms, depression, anxiety and eating disorders and to examine the mediation role of defense mechanisms in the relation between alexithymia and anxiety, depression and eating disorders. MATERIAL: In a sample of 283 subjects, aged 18-49 (M=2.33, DS=4.81), instruments were administered to measure alexithymia, defense mechanisms, depression, anxiety and eating disorders. RESULTS: This study showed that alexithymia was positively related to anxiety, depression, general psychological maladjustment, eating disorder risk, maladaptive style defense mechanisms, image-distorting style defense mechanisms, self-sacrificing style defense mechanisms, whereas it was negatively related to Mature Style Defense Mechanisms. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Authors: Vittorio Lenzo; Alberto Sardella; Nadia Barberis; Carmen Isgrò; Roberta Torrisi; Serena Giunta; Maria Cristina Petralia; Valeria Verrastro; Maria C Quattropani Journal: Clin Neuropsychiatry Date: 2021-12