Alexithymia and DSM-IV personality disorder traits in alcoholic inpatients: A study of the relation between both constructs

This study examines the relationship between alexithymia (BVAQ) and DSM-IV personality disorder traits (ADP-IV) in a sample of alcoholic inpatients (N = 101). We investigate which personality disorder traits are associated with alexithymia when biographical variables, psychological distress and severity of alcohol use-problems are controlled for, bearing in mind that such variables might induce an alexithymic state in individuals. The results indicate that the control variables are insufficiently related to alexithymia, which is interpreted as an indication for alexithymia being a trait rather than a state. At a more detailed level the results of this study indicate significant positive associations between alexithymia and schizoid, avoidant and antisocial personality traits and a negative relationship with schizotypal personality traits. Cross-validation in a non-clinical population (N = 101) that was matched to the clinical group for gender, age and highest educational degree, indicates that these results could not be replicated. Limitations of the study and suggestions for further research are highlighted.