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Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy

Gepubliceerd in:

21-11-2020

Alexithymia Mediates the Relationship Between Insecure Attachment and Eating Disorder Symptoms

Auteurs: Iratxe Redondo, Patrick Luyten

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy | Uitgave 4/2021

Abstract

Insecure attachment and alexithymia have traditionally been associated with eating disorders. However, research has recently started to examine the specific mechanisms by which attachment insecurity affect disordered eating. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the hypothesis that alexithymia mediates the relationships between insecure attachment patterns and eating disorders (EDs) and to test the relative contribution of each component of alexithymia. 323 female university students and 38 anorexic patients completed questionnaires on attachment, alexithymia and ED symptoms within a structural equation modeling approach. Insecure attachment was related to alexithymia, specifically difficulty identifying feelings (DIF) and difficulty describing feelings (DDF) subscales of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Furthermore, alexithymia scores were associated with eating disorder symptoms. However, only DIF mediated the relationship between attachment insecurity and ED symptoms. Despite the limitations of the cross-section design, attachment and alexithymia seem to be an important focus when preventing and treating EDs.

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Titel: Alexithymia Mediates the Relationship Between Insecure Attachment and Eating Disorder Symptoms
Auteurs: Iratxe Redondo
Patrick Luyten
Publicatiedatum: 21-11-2020
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy / Uitgave 4/2021
Print ISSN: 0894-9085
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-6563
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-020-00381-0

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