Newswise — Have you ever desired to express an emotion but simply couldn't discover suitable language? Countless individuals face a personality quality labeled alexithymia, denoting "absence of words for emotions." People with alexithymia encounter challenges when it comes to recognizing and portraying their feelings. This characteristic can negatively impact their interpersonal and close connections. They may overlook social hints and consequently struggle to perceive or comprehend others' emotions. Prior studies indicate that a background of childhood mistreatment might contribute to the emergence of adult alexithymia.
A recent meta-analysis featured in Psychological Bulletin, conducted by researchers from Stanford University, presents the inaugural comprehensive examination of the connection between adult alexithymia and various types of childhood maltreatment found in global literature.
Senior co-author Anat Talmon, who oversaw the study during her time as a postdoctoral research fellow at Stanford University and currently holds the position of assistant professor at the Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, emphasized the significant correlation between child maltreatment and alexithymia, stating, "We can now assert with greater confidence that these phenomena are closely intertwined."
In their investigation, the researchers analyzed 78 published sources that provided information on potential instances of child maltreatment as well as levels of alexithymia in adulthood. The study, conducted by the Stanford Psychophysiology Laboratory in collaboration with the Hebrew University and Adam Mickiewicz University, encompassed a total of 36,141 participants.
Julia Ditzer, the lead author of the study and a graduate researcher at Stanford University, along with being a PhD student in psychology at the Technical University of Dresden, highlighted the alarming fact that "one in four children globally experiences maltreatment, yet it frequently remains unnoticed."
Types of child maltreatment
Among the various forms of child maltreatment, three types stood out as robust indicators of alexithymia: emotional neglect, emotional abuse, and physical neglect. Notably, emotional neglect and physical neglect often co-occur. While two other types, namely sexual abuse and physical abuse, were also associated with alexithymia, their predictive power was comparatively weaker.
Emotional neglect arises when caregivers neglect to fulfill a child's emotional necessities, such as providing security and comfort. Emotional abuse occurs when caregivers engage in behaviors like ridiculing, belittling, or blaming children, placing undue responsibility on them for household or caregiver issues. Physical neglect entails caregivers who do not adequately provide essential elements like food, clothing, or a safe living environment for the child.
"When an individual experiences sexual or physical abuse, they often have some awareness, to some degree, that something is amiss," stated Talmon. However, emotional neglect and emotional abuse can be more challenging to recognize, both by the victim and by family members or neighbors. Consequently, victims may be less inclined to seek help. Talmon emphasized the profoundly detrimental impact of emotional neglect and emotional abuse on a child, stating, "Not having your emotional needs met is an incredibly devastating experience. Moreover, lacking the ability to identify and comprehend your emotions independently increases the likelihood of developing alexithymia."
Approximately 10% of the general population exhibits clinically significant levels of alexithymia. Among women, this percentage is around 7%, while for men, it is nearly double at about 13%. Elevated levels of alexithymia are associated with various psychological disorders, including autism, depression, and schizophrenia. James Gross, the Ernest R. Hilgard Professor of Psychology in the School of Humanities and Sciences, emphasizes that both alexithymia and child maltreatment are transdiagnostic risk factors, meaning that their presence increases the likelihood of developing a wide range of mental disorders. However, the specific relationship between these two risk factors and their co-occurrence is not yet fully understood.
In comprehending the connections between alexithymia and child maltreatment, it is important to acknowledge the significant role caregivers play in this dynamic. Caregivers serve as the primary models for children's emotional development. Unfortunately, caregivers are also often the perpetrators of child maltreatment. When children are subjected to maltreatment, they grow up with limited exposure to positive coping strategies in times of stress and fewer opportunities to express their emotions in appropriate ways. This combination can contribute to the development of alexithymia, where individuals struggle with identifying and expressing their emotions effectively.
When confronted with negative events, maltreated children may exhibit different behavioral responses. Some may display aggressive or violent behavior, while others may adopt a withdrawn stance, showing a flat emotional affect or dissociation. Previous research has established a strong association between childhood dissociation, characterized by detachment from feeling, and emotional abuse or the unavailability of caregivers. These experiences can profoundly impact a child's ability to regulate and express emotions, potentially contributing to the development of alexithymia later in life.
Talmon highlighted the perspective of such children, stating, "These children may express sentiments like, 'I don't care. I'm just surviving.' They lack a clear understanding of their own desires because they are disconnected from their inner voice and true will." The profound impact of their traumatic experiences leaves them struggling to identify their own needs and emotions, further contributing to the challenges they face in expressing themselves and developing a sense of self.
Indeed, certain forms of maltreatment can manifest in subtle ways. Caregivers who have good intentions may still be chronically ill, clinically depressed, or unable to provide adequate emotional support to children due to various reasons. In such cases, the maltreatment may go unrecognized by those living within that environment. Talmon highlights the fact that the nature of maltreatment can be overlooked or not identified as such by individuals within the environment, further complicating the recognition and intervention process.
Alexithymia therapy could help
The authors of the study acknowledge the need for enhanced therapeutic interventions for adults with alexithymia. Individuals undergoing treatment for depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may exhibit high levels of alexithymia, which can pose challenges in therapy. The difficulty in being introspective and effectively engaging in therapy can hinder progress and successful outcomes. Therefore, there is a recognized need to develop interventions specifically tailored to address alexithymia and support individuals in their therapeutic journey towards emotional understanding and expression.
Therapists play a crucial role in assessing patients' challenges in expressing and identifying emotions. Treatment for adults with alexithymia typically focuses on facilitating the development of their ability to connect with and understand their emotions, as well as express them in a tangible manner. The process involves helping individuals gain a deeper awareness of their emotions, recognize them, and articulate them in a way that is embodied and experiential. Talmon emphasized the importance of this initial step, stating, "Before you can effectively regulate your emotions, it is crucial to first comprehend and acknowledge them." By fostering emotional understanding and recognition, therapy can assist individuals with alexithymia in building the foundation for regulating their emotions effectively.
Family members and friends should strive to grasp that individuals with alexithymia frequently encounter difficulty in promptly recognizing and articulating their emotions, as well as comprehending the emotions of others. Ditzer emphasized, "They are not intentionally being difficult; they simply face genuine struggles in this regard."
Additional Stanford co-authors are Eileen Wong and Rhea Modi, research assistants at the Trauma Research group led by Talmon. Maciej Behnke, of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poland is also a co-author. Gross is also a member of Stanford Bio-X, the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance, the Maternal & Child Health Research Institute (MCHRI), and the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute.
RSS