Factorial Structure of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale: Confirmatory Factorial Analyses in Nonclinical and Clinical Samples

Overview

Journal J Psychosom Res

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2001 Jun 12

PMID 11399282

Citations 29

Authors

G Loas

M Corcos

P Stephan

J Pellet

P Bizouard

J L Venisse

F Perez-Diaz

J D Guelfi

P Jeammet

Affiliations

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Abstract

Objective: The 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) measures three intercorrelated dimensions of alexithymia: (1) difficulties identifying feelings (DIF), (2) difficulties describing feelings (DDF), and (3) externally oriented thinking (EOT). The aim of the study was to test the three-factor model of the TAS-20 using confirmatory factorial analyses (CFA).

Method: 769 healthy subjects and 659 patients meeting the DSM-IV criteria for substance use disorders or eating disorders completed the TAS-20. The correlation matrices for each of the samples were analyzed with LISREL 7.16.

Results: In each sample, the three-factor model was found to be replicable.

Conclusion: The three TAS-20 subcales can be used to explore the distinct facets of the alexithymia construct.

Citing Articles

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Alexithymia modulates the attitudes towards odors but not the olfactory abilities or the affective reactions to odors.

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Honkalampi K, Jokela M, Lehto S, Kivimaki M, Virtanen M Scand J Psychol. 2022; 63(5):427-438.

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The Structure of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20): A Meta-Analytic Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

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