scholarly journals What do alexithymia items measure? A discriminant content validity study of the Toronto-alexithymia-scale–20

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11639
Author(s):  
Elke Veirman ◽  
Dimitri M.L. Van Ryckeghem ◽  
Gregory Verleysen ◽  
Annick L. De Paepe ◽  
Geert Crombez
Keyword(s):  
Content Validity ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Validity Study ◽  
Medical Conditions ◽  
Toronto Alexithymia Scale ◽  
Key Features ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Tas 20

Background Questions have been raised about whether items of alexithymia scales assess the construct alexithymia and its key features, and no other related constructs. This study assessed the (discriminant) content validity of the most widely used alexithymia scale, i.e., the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Methods Participants (n = 81) rated to what extent TAS-20 items and items of related constructs were relevant for assessing the constructs ‘alexithymia’, ‘difficulty identifying feelings’, ‘difficulty describing feelings’, ‘externally-oriented thinking’, ‘limited imaginal capacity’, ‘anxiety’, ‘depression’, and ‘health anxiety’. Results Results revealed that, overall, the TAS-20 did only partly measure ‘alexithymia’. Only the subscales ‘difficulty identifying feelings’ and ‘difficulty describing feelings’ represented ‘alexithymia’ and their intended construct, although some content overlap between these subscales was found. In addition, some items assessed (health) anxiety equally well or even better. Conclusions Revision of the TAS-20 is recommended to adequately assess all key features of alexithymia. Findings with the TAS-20 need to be interpreted with caution in people suffering from medical conditions.

Hubungan Alexithymia dengan Kecanduan Media Sosial pada Remaja di Jakarta Selatan

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Yunita Mansyah Lestari ◽  
Suzy Yusna Dewi ◽  
Aulia Chairani
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
P Value ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Research Subjects ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Toronto Alexithymia Scale ◽  
Social Media Addiction ◽  
Consecutive Sampling ◽  
Tas 20

ABSTRAK   Alexithymia ditandai dengan ketidakmampuan dalam mengenali dan mengekpresikan emosi serta pemikiran yang berorientasi eksternal sehingga mereka memiliki hubungan interpersonal yang buruk. Remaja dengan alexithymia cenderung menjadi kecanduan media sosial.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan antara Alexithymia terhadap kecanduan media sosial pada remaja di Jakarta Selatan. Subjek penelitian adalah remaja yang berusia 13-19 tahun dan tinggal di Jakarta selatan. Pengambilan data menggunakan metode consecutive sampling dan snowball sampling dengan menyebar kuesioner menggunakan link googleform. Jumlah subjek penelitian sebanyak 207 orang (41 = laki-laki, 166 = perempuan). Skala yang digunakan adalah Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) dan Social Media Disorder (SMD). Analisa data menggunakan metode chi-square pada SPSS 25. Hasil penelitian didapatkan 85 orang mengalami alexithymia, 88 mengalami kecanduan dan 62 orang mengalami alexithymia dan kecanduan media sosial. p-value didapatkan 0,000. Hal ini berarti terdapat hubungan antara Alexithymia dengan Kecanduan Media Sosial pada remaja di Jakarta Selatan. Kata Kunci :Alexithymia, Kecanduan Media Sosial, Remaja     ABSTRACT   Alexithymia is characterized by an inability to recognize and express emotions and have external oriented thoughts so that they have poor interpersonal relationships. Teenagers with alexithymial tend to become addicted to social media. This study aims to determine the relationship between Alexithymia towards social media addiction in adolescents in South Jakarta. The research subjects were adolescents aged 13-19 years and lived in south Jakarta. Retrieval of the data was using consecutive sampling and snowball sampling method by distributing questionnaires using the googleform link. The number of research subjects was 207 people (41 = men, 166 = women). The scale was used is the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and Social Media Disorder (SMD). Data analysis using the chi-square method in SPSS 25. The results showed that 85 people had alexithymia, 88 were addicted and 62 people had alexithymia and were addicted to social media. p-value obtained is 0,000. This means that there is a relationship between Alexithymia and Social Media Addiction in adolescents in South Jakarta. Keyword : Adolescents, Alexithymia, Social Media Addiction

scholarly journals Assessing Housing Accessibility for Older Adults in Japan: A Content Validity Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 108-108
Author(s):  
Rumiko Tsuchiya-Ito ◽  
Björn Slaug ◽  
Tomonori Sano ◽  
Miki Tajima ◽  
Sakiko Itoh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Content Validity ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Validity Study ◽  
Housing Enabler ◽  
Item List ◽  
Existing Housing ◽  
Rigorous Procedure

Abstract Scientifically validated tools to assess housing accessibility for older adults in Japan have been lacking. To address this, a rigorous procedure of adapting an existing housing assessment tool—the Housing Enabler, developed in Sweden—for valid use in Japan was conducted. The original tool was translated into the Japanese language, using established translation procedures. In the process, researchers checked the appropriateness of technical terms and adjusted specifications to be in accordance with Japanese standards. An expert panel approach was used to validate the content of the Japanese Housing Enabler. Thirteen certified occupational therapists, architects and care-managers (average experience=14.5 years) participated as experts in the content validity study. They rated each item with regard to relevance for assessing housing accessibility in Japan, on a scale from 1(=Not relevant) to 4(= Highly relevant). They suggested adjustments and additions that they found to be relevant to capture particularities of Japanese housing and building design. After individual ratings, the experts gathered for consensus discussions on suggested revisions of the item list. As a result, the number of items was substantially increased (from 161 to 283). A content validity index (CVI) was calculated for each item (i.e., the proportion of experts rating the relevance as at least 3). Using a recommended threshold of CVI ≥0.78, more than 90% of the items were considered relevant, thus supporting the content validity. However, the large amount of items might jeopardize the feasibility of the instrument. Further studies are needed to evaluate feasibility, criterion-related validity and aspects of reliability.

scholarly journals A confirmatory factor analysis of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) in an alcohol-dependent sample

2010 ◽  
Vol 178 (3) ◽  
pp. 565-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred Arne Thorberg ◽  
Ross McD Young ◽  
Karen A. Sullivan ◽  
Michael Lyvers ◽  
Cameron Hurst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analysis ◽  
Toronto Alexithymia Scale ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Dependent Sample ◽  
Tas 20 ◽  
Alcohol Dependent

Using peer support to strengthen mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a review (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Suresh ◽  
Armaghan Alam ◽  
Zoe Karkossa
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Mental Health Resource ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Anxiety Depression

BACKGROUND The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a significant impact on society’s overall mental health with a notable effect on healthcare providers. To manage this global crisis, governments have had to implement numerous measures such mandated lockdowns and physical distancing to minimize the risk of overloading healthcare systems. Altogether, these measures have contributed to higher levels of anxiety, depression, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other metrics indicating worsening mental health. Unfortunately, the availability of crucial mental health resources and support remains scarce during this time as services attempt to transition to an effective online delivery model. Peer support, which is peer-to-peer provided social and emotional support, is an underutilized and effective mental health resource that is easily delivered/accessed in-person by members within a social distancing bubble, or virtually across different bubbles. OBJECTIVE This review aims to summarize the toll that this pandemic has had on society’s mental health as found in peer-reviewed literature from October 2019 to March 2021, as well as suggest the utility of peer support to address these needs. Lastly, we provide strategies to effectively deliver peer support so that members of the community can better support one another during these unprecedented times. METHODS References for this review were chosen through searches of PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for articles published between October 2019 and March 2021 that used the terms: “coronavirus”, “COVID-19”, “mental health”, “anxiety”, “depression”, “isolation”, “mental health resources”, “peer support”, “online mental health resources”, and “healthcare workers”. Articles resulting from these searches and relevant references cited in those articles were reviewed. Articles published in English, French and Italian were included. RESULTS As stated in peer-reviewed literature, this pandemic has ubiquitously worsened the mental health of populations across the world, which is further exacerbated by extended periods of lockdown. Peer support has been demonstrated to yield positive effects on the mental health of a wide variety of recipients, and it can be provided through numerous accessible mediums such as web/mobile applications, video-conferencing software, workshops, telephone services, and student programs. CONCLUSIONS The provision of peer support can be very beneficial for improving mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and may be an effective tool should similar events arise in the future. CLINICALTRIAL N/A

scholarly journals The Evolution of Young People's Mental Health during COVID-19: Evidence from four Low-and-Middle-Income-Countries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Porter ◽  
Annina Hittmeyer ◽  
Marta Favara ◽  
Douglas Scott ◽  
Alan Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Food Insecure Households ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Background Though COVID-19 presents less risk to young people of serious morbidity or mortality, the resulting economic crisis has impacted their livelihoods. There is relatively little evidence on young people's mental health in Low-and-Middle-Income-Countries (LMICs) as the pandemic has progressed. Methods Two consecutive phone-surveys (August/October and November/December 2020) in Ethiopia, India, Peru and Vietnam interviewed around 9,000 participants of a 20-year cohort study who grew up in poverty (now aged 19 and 26). We investigate how young people's mental health has evolved in the four countries during the pandemic. Rates of (at least mild) anxiety (depression) measured by GAD-7 (PHQ-8) were compared across countries; between males/females, and food secure/food insecure households. Results Overall, rates of at least mild anxiety (depression) significantly decreased in all countries but Ethiopia as infection rates fell. However, young people in food insecure households report high rates of anxiety and depression and have not shown consistent improvements. Food insecure households are poorer, and have significantly more children (p<0.05) except in Ethiopia. Conclusions Food insecurity has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and is negatively associated with young people's mental health. Urgent support is needed for the most vulnerable. Keywords COVID-19, mental health, anxiety, depression, food insecurity, youth

scholarly journals The Polish COVID Stress Scales: Considerations of psychometric functioning, measurement invariance, and validity

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0260459
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Adamczyk ◽  
D. Angus Clark ◽  
Julia Pradelok
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Invariance ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Time Lags ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Language Version ◽  
Structure Reliability ◽  
Level Measurement ◽  
Polish Language ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
Anxiety Depression

The COVID Stress Scales (CSS) were developed to measure stress in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. To further investigate the psychometric properties of the CSS, we used data collected in Poland across two waves of assessment (N = 556 at T1 and N = 264 at T2) to evaluate the factor structure, reliability (at the item and scale level), measurement invariance (across the Polish and Dutch translations of the CSS, and time), over time stability, and external associations of the Polish-language version of the CSS (CSS-PL). Overall, results suggest that the CSS-PL is psychometrically robust, largely invariant across the countries and time-lags considered. The CSS-PL was also positively related to other measures of COVID-19 fear, health anxiety, obsessive compulsive symptoms, anxiety, depression, and intent to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This study thus provides considerable information about the CSS’s items and scales, and lays the foundation for future investigations into COVID stress across time and different populations.

A Content Validity Study of AIMIT (Assessing Interpersonal Motivation in Transcripts)

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 319-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Fassone ◽  
Floriana Lo Reto ◽  
Paola Foggetti ◽  
Chiara Santomassimo ◽  
Maria Rita D'Onofrio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Content Validity ◽  
Validity Study

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Alexithymia and Attachment Style

2007 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 347-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Farinelli ◽  
Mauro Ercolani ◽  
Giancarlo Trombini ◽  
Mauro Bortolotti
Keyword(s):  
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease ◽  
Gastroesophageal Reflux ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Reflux Disease ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Relational Context ◽  
Toronto Alexithymia Scale ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
Attachment Style Questionnaire ◽  
Tas 20

Alexithymia and its relation with attachment style were evaluated in a group of 69 patients (men, M age = 46.4 yr., SD =12.6; women, M age = 44.2 yr., SD = 14.4) affected by Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Two self-evaluation questionnaires were used for psychological evaluation, the 20 item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ). The TAS-20 analysis showed that the clinical sample taken as a whole did not score in the alexithymic range. The inverse correlations between the Confidence ASQ subscale and the Difficulty Communicating Feelings TAS-20 subscale showed that communication of emotions could develop more easily within the framework of a relational context characterized by safety and confidence. In this group of patients this was represented by the referent caregiver.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document