Page 52 - JCBP-2-2

Journal of Clinical and
Basic Psychosomatics Alexithymia as a mediator relationship

some studies suggest that psychodynamic group therapy hand, this timeframe circumscribes the results obtained
can help alexithymic patients reduce psychopathological to this particular situation and to a particular—previously
distress and alexithymic features. Additionally, other unknown—pathology, which may have exacerbated
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methods, such as rational emotive behavior therapy, have anxiety levels. Therefore, the results cannot be generalized.
been found effective in improving alexithymia and sleep Moreover, we considered alexithymia as a secondary
quality. However, they may not have any effect on anxiety mechanism, i.e., as a defense or adaptation mechanism
and depression in elderly individuals residing in retirement implemented following a stressor to protect the individual
homes. Considering that alexithymia influences health from the consequences of the stressful context. However,
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anxiety symptomatology, approaches like those mentioned to our knowledge, there is no tool adapted to this specific
above could offer valuable perspectives, as alexithymia conception of alexithymia, as it is measured with TAS-
appears to partially mediate the relationship between high 20, which does not distinguish between primary and
sensitivity and health anxiety. secondary alexithymia. We must also acknowledge that
In this sense, this mediation effect serves as a marker the measurement of alexithymia in our study constitutes
that enables the differentiation of individuals with a high a significant limitation with regard to our results. At
SPS. In practical terms, this differentiation clearly facilitates this stage, although we have considered alexithymia as
the proposal of therapeutic strategies and approaches secondary, it is evident that we can hardly guarantee
adapted to the specific characteristics of the individuals with certainty that the measure accurately reflects this
concerned. Moreover, individuals with alexithymia exhibit conception. Clearly, there is potential for the development
less engagement in the therapeutic support process, of more specific tools capable of differentiating between
attending fewer sessions, and experiencing a more fragile primary and secondary alexithymia.
therapeutic alliance than others. However, approaches This study confirmed the correlations between SPS
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such as Gestalt therapy, focusing on meditation and and alexithymia, as well as the role of AES and CHA. In
concentration, or focusing on the present moment, addition, by revealing the mediating role of alexithymia,
could offer support for hypersensitive individuals who this study provided insight into the relationship between
also present with alexithymia. By using these tools and SPS and health anxiety. It sheds light on mental health,
methods, hypersensitive individuals can reconnect with particularly in the context of great uncertainty such as
their emotions and learn to identify and express them that implied by COVID-19. However, we recommend
effectively. Furthermore, it would be highly relevant that future studies should be conducted to replicate this
to explore broader psychological and social factors present study in other contexts and endeavor to refine the
(e.g., coping styles, social support), which could provide measurement of alexithymia. This refinement is crucial to
a more holistic view of the factors influencing alexithymia
and health anxiety. better understand its role as either a dispositional variable
(primary) or a contextual variable directly related to
4.2. Limitations specific encountered situations (secondary).

Nevertheless, this study has several limitations. Firstly, 5. Conclusion
the study was carried out on a particular French sample,
limiting the generalizability of our results. Moreover, By confirming aspects of the existing literature, delving
the study was conducted during the first COVID-19 deeper into the mediating role of alexithymia, and
lockdown in France, which was a very specific context. identifying the most predictive components of health
In that way, we must consider the existence of a sampling anxiety, this study contributes to a better understanding of
bias, which poses a threat to external validity and limits the questions raised in the literature regarding SPS. Indeed,
the generalizability of our results to a broader population. a high SPS is sometimes viewed as an adaptive factor to
Future studies could address these limitations by including environmental stressors, while other times, it’s perceived as
a more diverse sample in terms of geography and a vulnerability factor leading to greater psychopathological
timeframes. Additionally, replicating this study in non- symptomatology. However, it is important to recognize
pandemic contexts could validate the results and provide that the mediating effect of alexithymia can either amplify
insight into how these relationships function under normal or mitigate the consequences of high sensitivity, including
circumstances. On the one hand, the specific timeframe those related to health anxiety, which depend on this
of the study allowed us to examine the effects of a unique mediating effect.
context on health anxiety and explore the impact of SPS Acknowledgments
and alexithymia on individuals’ cognition and feelings
within this particular context. However, on the other None.

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2024) 10 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcbp.2681