ALEXITHYMIA, LONELINESS AND INTERPERSONAL PROBLEMS IN YOUNG ADULTS
Abstract
Objective: The study was to investigate the relationship among alexithymia, loneliness and interpersonal problems in young adults. It was hypothesized that alexithymia referring to difficulties in identifying and verbally describing feelings would predict loneliness and interpersonal problems.
Materials and Methods: A sample of 240 students was taken from different government and private universities of Lahore city. Sample included both men (n = 120) and women (n = 120) with in the age range of 18 to 25 years (M=21.38, SD=1.88). Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), University of California-Los Angeles Loneliness Scale – Version 3 (UCLA) and Inventory of Interpersonal Problems-Short Circumplex (IIP-SC) was used to assess alexithymia loneliness and interpersonal problems respectively.
Conclusion: The results indicated that there was a significant positive correlation among alexithymia, loneliness and interpersonal problems and alexithymia predicted loneliness and interpersonal problems. The results can be useful in designing interventional programs, strategies for treatment or counseling based on regulation of emotions.