The Relationship between Alexithymia and Mental Health Is Fully Mediated by Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Psoriasis.
dermatology
mediation model
psychological distress
quality of life
Journal
International journal of environmental research and public health
ISSN: 1660-4601
Titre abrégé: Int J Environ Res Public Health
Pays: Switzerland
ID NLM: 101238455
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
19 03 2022
19 03 2022
Historique:
received:
29
12
2021
revised:
10
03
2022
accepted:
16
03
2022
entrez:
25
3
2022
pubmed:
26
3
2022
medline:
19
4
2022
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Psoriasis is a common skin disease that affects quality of life, especially mental health. Alexithymia has been considered a relevant feature in psoriasis patients. Moreover, psoriasis was found to be associated with negative psychological health, including anxiety and depression. As the pathways linking alexithymia and mental health remain unclear among patients with psoriasis, we aimed to examine the mediating role of anxiety and depression in the relationship between alexithymia and mental health in these patients. To explore our variables of interest, we used the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Forty-four percent of patients were alexithymic and reported higher anxiety and depression, and lower quality of life compared to non-alexithymic patients. Alexithymic patients also had lower educational attainment. A correlation analysis showed positive associations between alexithymia and both anxiety and depression, whereas mental and physical health were negatively associated with alexithymia. Moreover, anxiety and depression fully mediated the relationship between alexithymia and mental health. Our findings highlight the importance of assessing alexithymia and psychological distress in clinical practice to identify vulnerable patients and to implement interventions aimed at improving negative emotional states.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Psoriasis is a common skin disease that affects quality of life, especially mental health. Alexithymia has been considered a relevant feature in psoriasis patients. Moreover, psoriasis was found to be associated with negative psychological health, including anxiety and depression. As the pathways linking alexithymia and mental health remain unclear among patients with psoriasis, we aimed to examine the mediating role of anxiety and depression in the relationship between alexithymia and mental health in these patients.
METHODS
To explore our variables of interest, we used the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).
RESULTS
Forty-four percent of patients were alexithymic and reported higher anxiety and depression, and lower quality of life compared to non-alexithymic patients. Alexithymic patients also had lower educational attainment. A correlation analysis showed positive associations between alexithymia and both anxiety and depression, whereas mental and physical health were negatively associated with alexithymia. Moreover, anxiety and depression fully mediated the relationship between alexithymia and mental health.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings highlight the importance of assessing alexithymia and psychological distress in clinical practice to identify vulnerable patients and to implement interventions aimed at improving negative emotional states.
Identifiants
pubmed: 35329336
pii: ijerph19063649
doi: 10.3390/ijerph19063649
pmc: PMC8950845
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
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