Abstract:
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This study examined the relationships between alexithymia,
emotional control, and health-related quality of life in a sample of 74 patients with
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The subjects completed the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia
Scale (TAS-20), the Emotional Expression and Control Scale, and the Inflammatory Bowel
Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) for assessing quality of life. The results show that
alexythymia and emotional control are negatively related constructs and that each
construct has an independent effect on quality of life. Whereas the TAS-20 correlated
negatively and significantly with the IBDQ global score and with subscales assessing bowel
symptoms, systemic symptoms, and emotional functioning, the emotional control subscale of
the EEC correlated positively and significantly with these measures. Alexithymia and
quality of life were unrelated to tendencies to either hold emotions in or express
emotions outwardly. Multiple regression analysis revealed that alexithymia, and to a
lesser extent emotional control, play a role in predicting quality of life in patients
with IB. |
