Influence of Alexithymic Characteristics on Physiological and Subjective Stress Responses in Normal Individuals
Abstract
Individual differences in response to stress have been linked to the development of stress-related disorders through the presence of a dissociation between physiological and subjective stress responses. It has been suggested that the presence of alexithymic characteristics may constitute a new source of individual response differences and thereby contribute to the development of a stress-related disorder. However, it is also possible that the presence of alexithymic characteristics is simply a new name for a preexisting construct. The present study examined subjective and physiological stress response patterns in normal individuals with high or low presence of alexithymic characteristics, and the relationship between alexithymia and potentially equivalent constructs. The results revealed that the presence of alexithymic characteristics is independent of repression, trait anxiety, and social desirability. As well, high alexithymics appear to manifest high levels of sympathetic activity, and a dissociation between subjective and physiological stress responses. These results are discussed in terms of the potential contribution of alexithymic characteristics to the development of stress-related disorders.
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Decoupling between self-reported emotional experience and autonomic responses is observed in those with alexithymia.
“decoupling between self-reported emotional experience and autonomic responses has been observed in those with alexithymia (Connelly and Denney, 2007; Eastabrook et al., 2013; Martin and Pihl, 1986; Newton and Contrada, 1994; Papciak et al., 1985; Pollatos, Werner, et al., 2011; Stone and Nielson, 2001).”
From Atypical interoception as a common risk factor for psychopathology: A review (2021) · cites this paper as Martin and Pihl, 1986
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Atypical interoception as a common risk factor for psychopathology: A review
Brewer, R., Murphy, J., & Bird, G. (2021) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.07.036 · Cited by 180 · see citing works
Intact physiological response to arousal with impaired emotional recognition in alexithymia
Stone, L. A., & Nielson, K. A. (2001) · Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics · doi:10.1159/000056232 · Cited by 138 · see citing works
Waldstein, S. R., Kauhanen, J., Neumann, S. A., & Katzel, L. I. (2002) · Psychology & Health · doi:10.1080/08870440290025803 · Cited by 62 · see citing works
Decoupling between physiological, self-reported, and expressed emotional responses in alexithymia
Eastabrook, J. M., Lanteigne, D. M., & Hollenstein, T. (2013) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2013.08.001 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Nandrino, J.-L., Berna, G., Hot, P., Dodin, V., Latrée, J., Decharles, S., & Sequeira, H. (2012) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2011.11.003 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
- Authors
- Martin, J. B., & Pihl, R. O.
- Affiliations
- McGill University (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Martin, John B.
- Venue
- Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics
- Publisher
- S. Karger AG
- Published
- 2010-02-17
- Volume
- 45
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 66-77
- ISSN
- 0033-3190 (ISSN-L)
- 1423-0348
- OpenAlex
- W2063145178
- Cited by
- 133
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2024: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 5 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 4
- FWCI
- 3.49
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control
- Keywords
- alexithymia, stress response, subjective stress, physiological stress response, sympathetic activity, individual differences, repression, trait anxiety, social desirability, stress-related disorders
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Affective Symptoms, Anxiety, Autonomic Nervous System, Facial Muscles, Female, Fingers, Heart Rate, Humans, Male, Repression-Sensitization, Social Desirability, Stress, Psychological
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