THE QUALITY OF ATTACHMENT RELATIONSHIPS AND ALEXITHYMIA
THE QUALITY OF ATTACHMENT RELATIONSHIPS AND ALEXITHYMIA

Summary/Abstract: Alexithymia is a cognitive and affective deficit in processing, adjustment and verbalizing of emotions. Numerous studies have demonstrated the role of precarious early relationship with caregivers in developing alexithymia. The main aim of this study was to analyzethe relationshipbetweenalexithymiaand the type and qualityof attachment systemin adolescence. The assumptions we have intended to test in our study were: (1) The level of alexithymia is negatively associated with secure attachment style; (2) There is a positive correlation between the alexithymia and insecure attachment styles. The research was conducted on a sample of 174 students from high school, whose mean age is 16.55, of which 101 boys (58.05%) and 73 girls (41.95%). For the measurement of the variables investigated in this correlational study, were used Twenty-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ). The results of this research show that there is a negative association between alexithymia and secure attachment style and a positive association with two of the three insecure styles (fearful and preoccupied). The study highlights a relevant difference between boys and girls, in terms of the relationship between alexithymia and attachment style.

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