Expression of unfavorable emotions in Japanese college students with alexithymic characteristics

We examined the association of alexithymic characteristics and the expressi on of unfavorable feelings such as anger and hostility in a sample of 489 J apanese college students. Analysis suggested that alexithymic college stude nts are prone to indicate not only emotional instability but also cynical h ostility and anger. On the contrary, alexithymic college students indicated significantly higher scores on Anger-in and Anger Control, which may be re lated to Japanese sociocultural aspects. In particular, Anger Control was s tronger in the men who were alexithymic, suggesting that they may unconscio usly struggle for the suppression or control of unfavorable feelings such a s anger and hostility to stabilize their inner emotions.