Relationship between Alexithymia and Quality of Life in Patients with Clinical Pain Complain and Healthy People

Aims: The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between alexithymia and quality of life in patients with clinical pain complain and healthy people.
The study sample consists of 200 participants (100 patients with pain complain and 100 healthy people between 18-60 years old) which were selected at convenience. Data were collected by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF36) and analyzed by independent samples t test, Pearson moment correlation method and Enter regression.
Based on the findings, the two groups of patients and healthy participants were significantly different both in alexithymia scale and quality of life. Also correlation between alexithymia and quality of life in patients was stronger, particularly in difficulties describing emotions and external-oriented thinking subscales.
Results showed that pain causes strong relationship between alexithymia and quality of life; and the mental aspect of quality of life is more affected by alexithymia than others.