Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics
Psychometric Properties of a Scale to Measure AlexithymiaBlanchard E.B. · Arena J.G. · Pallmeyer T.P.State University of New York at Albany, Albany, N.Y., USA
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Article / Publication Details
Published online: February 16, 2010
Issue release date: 1981
Number of Print Pages: 8
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 0
ISSN: 0033-3190 (Print)
eISSN: 1423-0348 (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/PPS
Abstract
Four studies were conducted on a sample of 230 undergraduates to determine the psychometric properties of a measure of alexithymia, the Schalling-Sifheos Scale. In the first study it was found that scores on the scale are approximately normally distributed for each sex with 8.2% of males and 1.8% of females in the alexithymia range. In the second study a factor analysis of the scale revealed three distinct factors: (1) ‘difficulty in expression of feelings’; (2) ‘the importance of feelings especially about people’; (3) ‘daydreaming or introspection’. In the second factor analytic study, scores from several standard psychological tests on the same subjects were introduced with the scale items. Two factors in this analysis were comprised almost entirely of the other test scores: a ‘general psychological distress factor’ and a ‘concerns about physical symptoms factor’. The other two factors were similar to factors 1 and 2 above in terms of items. The Rathus Assertiveness Scale loaded positively on the equivalent of factor 1. In the last study, it was shown that the Schalling-Sifheos Scale score is relatively orthogonal to other psychological tests with the exception of a Psychosomatic Symptom Checklist and thus is measuring something other than depression, anxiety, etc.
© 1981 S. Karger AG, Basel
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Article / Publication Details
Published online: February 16, 2010
Issue release date: 1981
Number of Print Pages: 8
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 0
ISSN: 0033-3190 (Print)
eISSN: 1423-0348 (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/PPS
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