Alexithymic traits as predictors of difficulties with adjustment in an outpatient cohort of expatriates in Tokyo

The purpose of this study was to examine whether alexithymic characteristic s, which are thought to be related to poor coping with stress, would be ass ociated with variables thought to reflect adjustment to life abroad. The su bjects were 56 expatriates living in Tokyo, Japan. The Expatriate Adaptatio n Inventory, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and the Social Support Question naire of the Stress and Coping Inventory were given to the subjects. Scores on alexithymia were significantly associated with dissatisfaction with lif e abroad, higher satisfaction with life Ln one's home country prior to depa rture, and higher ratings on the perception of poor social support. An alex ithymia variable, difficulty identifying feelings, was a significant predic tor of dissatisfaction with life abroad and satisfaction with life in the h ome country. The results suggest that, because alexithymia was associated w ith lower satisfaction with abroad and higher satisfaction in the home coun try prior to departure, it may be a predictor of adjustment difficulties wh en individuals live abroad. Empirical confirmation is needed.