Citation

Kealy D, Ogrodniczuk JS, Rice SM, Oliffe JL. Int. J. Psychiatry Clin. Prac. 2018; 22(1): 77-79.

Affiliation

School of Nursing , University of British Columbia , Vancouver , BC , Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13651501.2017.1324992

PMID

28509577

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Restricted emotional abilities may present significant implications for men's health. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between alexithymia and several health-risk behaviours: substance misuse, aggressive and risky behaviours and suicidal ideation.

METHODS: A nationally representative sample of 1000 Canadian men responded to a survey containing measures of alexithymia, maladaptive coping behaviours, suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms. A series of hierarchical regressions were conducted using alexithymia as the predictor variable and each health-risk behaviour as the criterion variable, controlling for depressive symptom severity.

RESULTS: Alexithymia was found to be significantly associated with drug use, alcohol use, angry/aggressive behaviour and risk-taking behaviour - as well as suicidal ideation - beyond the effects of depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide evidence for the link between alexithymia and several problematic behaviours that pose risks to men's health.

Language: en

Keywords

Alexithymia; health-risk behaviour; men; substance misuse; suicidal ideation