Alexithymia in relation to alcohol expectancies in alcohol-dependent outpatients. (28th February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thorberg, Fred Arne; Young, Ross McD.; Lyvers, Michael; Sullivan, Karen A.; Hasking, Penelope; London, Edythe D.; Tyssen, Reidar; Connor, Jason P.; Feeney, Gerald F.X.
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 236(2016)
• Page Start: 186
• Page End: 188
• Publication Date: 2016-02-28
• Subjects: Alcohol dependence -- Alexithymia -- Alcohol expectancies; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.01.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Abstract: Alexithymia and alcohol outcome expectancies were investigated in 355 alcohol-dependent treatment seekers. Patients with alexithymia gave stronger self-report ratings of expectancies of affective change related to beliefs that alcohol leads to negative mood states and assertion, that alcohol enhances social skills, compared to those without alexithymia. The findings suggest that alcohol-dependent outpatients with alexithymia may drink to experience intensified negative emotions and improved social functioning. Highlights: Those with alexithymia reported stronger affective change expectancies. Individuals with alexithymia scored higher on assertion expectancies. Targeting alcohol expectancies may improve treatment outcomes.