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  • Title: Age is strongly associated with alexithymia in the general population.
    Author: Mattila AK, Salminen JK, Nummi T, Joukamaa M.
    Journal: J Psychosom Res; 2006 Nov; 61(5):629-35. PubMed ID: 17084140.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: We studied the prevalence of alexithymia, its distribution in different age groups in a wide age range, its association with sociodemographic and health-related variables, and its co-occurrence with depression. METHODS: The study forms part of the Health 2000 Study. The original sample comprised 8028 subjects representing the general adult population of Finland. Alexithymia was measured with the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and depression was measured with the 21-item Beck Depression Inventory. Altogether, 5454 participants filled in TAS-20 in their mother tongue. RESULTS: The prevalence of alexithymia was 9.9%. Men (11.9%) were more commonly alexithymic than women (8.1%). Alexithymia was associated with male gender, increasing age, low educational level, poor perceived health, and depression. CONCLUSIONS: The findings were in line with earlier population studies. For the first time, it was possible to analyze the prevalence of alexithymia in a wide age range (30-97 years). International comparative studies are needed.
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