TY  -  JOUR
AU  -  Lenzo, Vittorio
AU  -  Barberis, Nadia
AU  -  Cannavò, Marco
AU  -  Filastro, Antonella
AU  -  Verrastro, Valeria
AU  -  Quattropani, Maria Catena
T1  -  The relationship between alexithymia, defense mechanisms, eating disorders, anxiety and depression
PY  -  2020
Y1  -  2020-01-01
DO  -  10.1708/3301.32715
JO  -  Rivista di Psichiatria
JA  -  Riv Psichiatr
VL  -  55
IS  -  1
SP  -  24
EP  -  30
PB  -  Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore
SN  -  2038-2502
Y2  -  2026/05/20
UR  -  http://dx.doi.org/10.1708/3301.32715
N2  -  SUMMARY. Introduction. Research suggests that alexithymia is a significant element for emotion processing, while defense mechanisms proved to be important factors for adjusting to stressful life events and to cope with potential psychopathologies. Aims. The aims of the present study are to examine the relationships between alexithymia, defense mechanisms, depression, anxiety and eating disorders and to examine the mediation role of defense mechanisms in the relation between alexithymia and anxiety, depression and eating disorders. Material. In a sample of 283 subjects, aged 18-49 (M=2.33, DS=4.81), instruments were administered to measure alexithymia, defense mechanisms, depression, anxiety and eating disorders. Results. This study showed that alexithymia was positively related to anxiety, depression, general psychological maladjustment, eating disorder risk, maladaptive style defense mechanisms, image-distorting style defense mechanisms, self-sacrificing style defense mechanisms, whereas it was negatively related to Mature Style Defense Mechanisms. Implications of the findings are discussed.
ER  -