Measuring Alexithymia via Trait Approach-I: A Alexithymia Scale Item Selection and Formation of Factor Structure

Introduction: It is not clear in the literature whether available instruments are sufficient to measure alexithymia because of its theoretical structure. Moreover, it has been reported that several measuring instruments are needed to measure this construct, and all the instruments have different error sources. The old and the new forms of Toronto Alexithymia Scale are the only instruments available in Turkish. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop a new scale to measure alexithymia, selecting items and constructing the factor structure. Methods: A total of 1117 patients aged from 19 to 82 years (mean = 35.05 years) were included. A 100-item pool was prepared and applied to 628 women and 489 men. Data were analyzed using Explanatory Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, and Item Response Theory and 28 items were selected. The new form of 28 items was applied to 415 university students, including 271 women and 144 men aged from 18 to 30 (mean=21.44).Results: The results of Explanatory Factor Analysis revealed a five-factor construct of "Solving and Expressing Affective Experiences,” "External Locused Cognitive Style,” "Tendency to Somatize Affections,” "Imaginary Life and Visualization,” and "Acting Impulsively,” along with a two-factor construct representing the "Affective” and "Cognitive” components. All the components of the construct showed good model fit and high internal consistency. The new form was tested in terms of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and concurrent validity using Toronto Alexithymia Scale as criteria and discriminative validity using Five-Factor Personality Inventory Short Form. Conclusion: The results showed that the new scale met the basic psychometric requirements. Results have been discussed in line with related studies

Study of emotional awareness on predisposition to narcissistic, borderline and schizoid personality disorders

Bu tez çalışmasının amacı, Narsisistik, Sınır ve Şizoid Kişilik Bozuklukları’na yatkınlıkta duygusal farkındalığın incelenmesidir. Ayrıca Narsisistik, Sınır ve Şizoid Kişilik Bozuklukları’nın duygusal öz farkındalık, aleksitimi, duygusal zekâ ve empati düzeylerinin çeşitli sosyo-demografik değişkenlerle olan ilişkisi de araştırma kapsamındadır. Çalışmaya 18-68 yaş arasında toplam 502 kişi katılmıştır. Katılımcıların %77,9’i kadın (n = 391), %22,1’i (n = 111) erkek ve yaş ortalaması 31,58±10,43’dür. Katılımcıların %2’si ilkokul (n = 10), %2,4’ü ortaokul (n = 12), %12,2’si lise (n = 61), % 66,7’si üniversite (n = 335) ve % 16,7’si lisansüstü (n = 84) düzeyde eğitim almıştır. Araştırmada “Duygusal Öz Farkındalık Ölçeği”, “A Aleksitimi Ölçeği”, “Asıl Form Schutte Duygusal Zekâ Ölçeği” , “Empati Ölçeği” ve “DIP-Q ” kullanılmıştır. Verilerin analizinde iki yönlü varyans analizi kullanılmıştır. Analizler, ilgili kişilik bozuklukları ile duygusal farkındalık arasında belirgin bir ilişki olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır.The purpose of thesis is to study of emotional awareness on predisposition to Narcissistic, Borderline and Schizoid Personality Disorders. In addition, relation of Narcissistic, Borderline and Schizoid Personality Disorders with emotional awareness and empathy levels various socio-demographic variables is also within the scope of the research. A total of 502 participated in the study between the ages of 18-68. Among the participants, 77.9% were female (n = 391), 22.1% (n = 111) were male and the mean age was 31.58 ± 10.43. 2% of the participants were in primary school (n = 10), 2.4% in middle school (n = 12), 12.2% in high school (n = 61), 66.7% in university (n = 335) and 16.7% of them received postgraduate education (n = 84). In the research ‘’ Emotional Self-Awareness Scale’’, ‘’ Alexithymia Scale’’, ‘’Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale’’, ‘’Empathy Scale’’ and ‘’DIP-Q’’ methods are used. Two-way analysis of variance was used in data analysis Analyses show that there is a significant relationship between related personality disorders and emotional awareness