Alexithymia and the temperament and character model of personality

Objective: In our study we explored the associations between alexithymia (T oronto Alexithymia Scale 20, TAS-20) and the dimensions and subscales of Cl oninger's theoretically based and empirically validated psychobiological mo del of personality to further clarify the relationship between alexithymia and personality traits. Methods: Psychiatric in- and outpatients (n = 254) were investigated with the TAS-20, the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and the Symptom Check List SCL-90-R to control for the severity of cu rrent psychopathology. Correlation and regression analyses were performed. Results: The regression analysis identified the TO dimensions low self-dire ctedness (SID), low reward dependence (RD) and to a minor degree harm avoid ance (HA) as independent predictors for alexithymia. At the level of subsca les, interpersonal detachment (RD3), low resourcefulness (SD3), low respons ibility and blaming (SD1) and shyness with strangers (HA3) were predictors for alexithymia. The degree of explained variance of the TAS-20 scores by t he TO dimensions and subscales ranged between 43 and 45% whereas the inclus ion of the general severity index into the regression models accounted for an additional 5% of the variance. Conclusions: Alexithymia is best explaine d by a mixture across different dimensions and subscales within Cloninger's psychobiological model of personality. However, alexithymia is captured on ly partly by current concepts of personality, and additional contributing p sychological and biological factors need to be identified to understand ale xithymia more extensively. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.