Journal article

Publication year: 2009

Pages: 323-331

Journal: Psychotherapy Research

Volume number: 19

Issue number: 3

ISSN: 1050-3307

eISSN: 1468-4381

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/10503300902870554

Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group

Abstract: 
This naturalistic study aimed to determine whether the initial degree of alexithymia can predict treatment outcome of psychodynamically oriented multimodal therapy. The Toronto Alexithymia Scale-26, the Global Severity Index (GSI), and the Depression subscale of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised were administered at hospital admission and at discharge to 480 inpatients with various psychological disorders. GSI and depressive symptoms decreased significantly during treatment. High initial alexithymia total scores significantly predicted treatment outcome, especially in patients with somatoform disorders. Difficulties in verbalizing feelings had the strongest association with less favourable symptom improvement. Although significant, the predictive values were relatively small, and patients with alexithymia indeed benefited from therapy. Implications of these results are discussed for the specificity of disorders and therapeutic approach.

Harvard Citation style: Leweke, F., Bausch, S., Leichsenring, F., Walter, B. and Stingl, M. (2009) Alexithymia as a predictor of outcome of psychodynamically oriented inpatient treatment, Psychotherapy Research, 19(3), pp. 323-331. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503300902870554

APA Citation style: Leweke, F., Bausch, S., Leichsenring, F., Walter, B., & Stingl, M. (2009). Alexithymia as a predictor of outcome of psychodynamically oriented inpatient treatment. Psychotherapy Research. 19(3), 323-331. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503300902870554