The aim of the study was to investigate the role of alexithymia in bronchial asthma (BA) patients with low respiratory functioning hypothesizing that it could be used to differentiate a group of patients with clinically significant anxiety and depressive symptoms. We also aimed to investigate whether alexithymia was associated with reduced cognitive insight. Patients (n=153) were administered the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State subscale, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS). Alexithymia could help differentiate a group of patients with low respiratory functioning. Twenty-two percent of patients included in this subsample had airway obstruction, and 51% reported severe alexithymia. Patients with severe airway obstruction and high alexithymia (compared to other patients) also reported higher self-reflectiveness, and more depressive symptoms. Clinicians have to be aware of the presence of a subgroup of asthma patients with low respiratory functioning who report severe alexithymia. These patients often report moderate to severe depression and frequent doubts about one's own beliefs.

Alexithymia and self-reflectiveness in bronchial asthma / Innamorati, Marco; Chetta, Alfredo Antonio; Antonucci, Camilla; Bettini, Elena; Aiello, Marina; Montali, Arianna; Parisoli, Chiara; Murri, Martino Belvederi; Brugnoli, Roberto; Pisi, Roberta; Pompili, Maurizio; Amore, Mario. - In: RIVISTA DI PSICHIATRIA. - ISSN 0035-6484. - 50:5(2015), pp. 245-252. [10.1708/2040.22168]

Alexithymia and self-reflectiveness in bronchial asthma

CHETTA, Alfredo Antonio;AIELLO, Marina;MONTALI, ARIANNA;PISI, Roberta;
2015-01-01

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the role of alexithymia in bronchial asthma (BA) patients with low respiratory functioning hypothesizing that it could be used to differentiate a group of patients with clinically significant anxiety and depressive symptoms. We also aimed to investigate whether alexithymia was associated with reduced cognitive insight. Patients (n=153) were administered the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State subscale, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS). Alexithymia could help differentiate a group of patients with low respiratory functioning. Twenty-two percent of patients included in this subsample had airway obstruction, and 51% reported severe alexithymia. Patients with severe airway obstruction and high alexithymia (compared to other patients) also reported higher self-reflectiveness, and more depressive symptoms. Clinicians have to be aware of the presence of a subgroup of asthma patients with low respiratory functioning who report severe alexithymia. These patients often report moderate to severe depression and frequent doubts about one's own beliefs.
2015
Alexithymia and self-reflectiveness in bronchial asthma / Innamorati, Marco; Chetta, Alfredo Antonio; Antonucci, Camilla; Bettini, Elena; Aiello, Marina; Montali, Arianna; Parisoli, Chiara; Murri, Martino Belvederi; Brugnoli, Roberto; Pisi, Roberta; Pompili, Maurizio; Amore, Mario. - In: RIVISTA DI PSICHIATRIA. - ISSN 0035-6484. - 50:5(2015), pp. 245-252. [10.1708/2040.22168]
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11381/2810265
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 6
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 5
social impact