Association of alexithymia with low utilization and perception on a measure of social support in patients on peritoneal dialysis.

This study examined the association of social support and alexithymia in 63 patients with end-stage renal failure on peritoneal dialysis. Scores on the Toronto Alexithymia Scale were significantly higher for the patient group than the control group. Social support was measured with the Stress and Coping Inventory. For scores on the Existence of social support there was no significant difference between the two groups; however, scores on the Utilization and Perception of social support were significantly lower for the patients than for the control group. The alexithymia scores were significantly and negatively correlated with the scores on the Utilization and Perception of social support. Our findings suggest that patients with peritoneal dialysis score higher on a measure of alexithymia associated with low utilization and perception of social support.