examination of alexithymia in a non-treatment seeking population of acute and chronic pain sufferers
Date of Award
2007
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Submission Date
October 2026
Abstract
Difficulty in communicating internal states may interfere with medical assessment of pain conditions. Individuals who score high on an assessment measure of a construct called alexithymia have difficulty in describing and/or identifying emotions. Both diffuse and low verbal communication styles have been related to alexithymia in chronic pain patients. Alexithymia has also been linked with pain intensity and various chronic pain conditions. As yet, research has not examined whether alexithymia and acute pain are related. The current research examined high-functioning individuals with chronic, acute, or no pain. No difference in alexithymia levels was found between the groups. However, pain intensity was related to difficulty in identifying feelings, and participants who scored high in alexithymia produced a low number of words per sentence in pain descriptions.
Recommended Citation
Ramm, Karen L., "examination of alexithymia in a non-treatment seeking population of acute and chronic pain sufferers" (2007). Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2003 - 2009. 52.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_honors_1/52
Extent
v, 19 leaves : ill.
Identifier
314393662
Comments
by Karen L. Ramm.