Abstract

MACIEL, Maria José Nunes  and  YOSHIDA, Elisa Medici Pizão. Assessment of alexithymia, neuroticism and depression in alcohol dependents. Aval. psicol. [online]. 2006, vol.5, n.1, pp.43-54. ISSN 1677-0471.

The object of this study was to investigate the levels of alexithymia, neuroticism and depression in a male sample (N=40) composed of a group of alcohol dependent outpatiens (G1) (N=20), and one of non-dependents (G2)(N=20), members of the community. The participants' assessment was achieved with the Portuguese version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Neuroticism/Emotional Adjustment Factorial Scale and the Depression Beck Inventory. Results pointed to significantly higher mean scores of alexithymia, neuroticism and depressions in G1 compared to G2. According to measures of severity, high levels of alexithymia and depression were associated with the G1 participants. Concerning the neuroticism, the normal level predominated similarly to the G2. Significant correlations between neuroticism and depression (p<0,001), alexithymia and neuroticism (p<0,001), as well as between alexithymia and depression (p<0,01) were viewed as evidence of the scales concurrent validity. Some methodological limitations were identified.

Keywords : Alcoholism; Alexithymia; Depression; Neuroticism; Criterion validity.

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