Are alexithymia and Type D personality distinct or overlapping constructs?

Lynn Williams, Cindy Curren, Gillian Bruce

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Theoretically and conceptually the constructs of alexithymia and Type D personality share many common characteristics. Despite both measures being utilized widely in psychosomatic research, to-date no study has examined the constructs simultaneously. The present study was undertaken to determine if alexithymia and Type D personality are distinct or overlapping constructs. A cross-sectional sample of 1016 healthy participants completed the 20-item version of the Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS-20), and the Type D personality scale (DS14). Confirmatory factor analysis of the 14 items of the DS14, and 20 items of the TAS-20 was conducted. Based on the underlying theoretical structures of the DS14 and TAS-20 a five-factor model was examined (corresponding to the five subscales of the DS14 and TAS-20). The analysis revealed that the five factor model was an acceptable fit for the data (?2/df = 4.7; CFI = .94, RMSEA = 0.06). These results provide evidence to suggest that alexithymia and Type D are distinct and separate constructs. However, future research should aim to replicate these findings in population and clinical samples.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)683-686
Number of pages4
JournalPersonality and Individual Differences
Volume51
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • alexithymia
  • confirmatory factor analysis
  • type D personality

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