An application of item response theory to alexithymia assessment among abstinent alcoholics. |
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Authors: | M S Hendryx M G Haviland R D Gibbons D C Clark |
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Institution: | Center for Health Services Research, College of Medicine, University of Iowa. |
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Abstract: | An item response theory (IRT) model identified three dimensions assessed by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) in a sample of 130 male applicants for inpatient care at a Veterans Administration (VA) medical center alcoholism treatment program. A unidimensional solution did not capture all of alexithymia's theoretical features. Subjects with lower alexithymia scores gave positive responses to items tapping emotional awareness deficits; only those with higher alexithymia scores gave positive responses to items tapping external, operative cognitive style. Thus, a total TAS score may not represent alexithymia accurately in substance-abusing patient populations. |
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