CRITERION-RELATED VALIDITY OF DIAGNOSTIC-CRITERIA FOR ALEXITHYMIA IN A GENERAL-HOSPITAL PSYCHIATRIC SETTING

Background: The diagnostic criteria for alexithymia (DCA) was proposed by Fava et al. in 1995. The purpose of this study was to examine the criterion-related validity of the DCA in a general hospital psychiatri c setting. Methods: The subjects included 126 outpatients with psychia tric disturbance. The severity of alexithymic characteristics was asse ssed using the DCA and Beth Israel Hospital Psychosomatic Questionnair e (BIQ). Two Japanese versions of the 26-item Toronto Alexithymia Scal e (TAS-26) and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) were administered. Results: The DCA had relatively high sensitivity an d specificity, indicating adequate discriminant validity. The discrimi nant validity of the DCA was also supported by significant association s of the DCA with the TAS-26 and MMPI-2. These results indicate that w hen used for screening, the DCA has adequate criterion-related validit y. Conclusions: The DCA may be clinically useful in a general hospital psychiatric setting.