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Deficit in speech development at the age of five years predicts alexithymia in late adolescent males

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

M. Karukivi
Affiliation:
Unit of Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland Unit of Adolescent Psychiatry, Satakunta Hospital District, Pori, Finland
M. Joukamaa
Affiliation:
Social Psychiatry Unit, Tampere School of Public Health, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland Department of Psychiatry, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
L. Hautala
Affiliation:
Unit of Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland Turku Municipal Health Care and Social Services, Turku, Finland
O. Kaleva
Affiliation:
Turku Municipal Health Care and Social Services, Turku, Finland Department of Public Health, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
K.-M. Haapasalo-Pesu
Affiliation:
Unit of Adolescent Psychiatry, Satakunta Hospital District, Pori, Finland
P.-R. Liuksila
Affiliation:
Turku Municipal Health Care and Social Services, Turku, Finland
S. Saarijärvi
Affiliation:
Unit of Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland Unit of Adolescent Psychiatry, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland

Abstract

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Objective

Assessment of the etiology of alexithymia is in most studies hindered by recall bias. The aim of the present study was to assess the significance of individual developmental factors at the age of five years for alexithymia in late adolescence. By using data from a child welfare centre check-up at the age of five years, it was possible to avoid recall bias.

Methods

The sample consisted of 723 subjects, who were comprehensively examined at the age of five years at a child welfare centre where their state of health, verbal, gross motor, visuo-motor, socio-emotional, and cognitive development were assessed. In late adolescence (mean age 19 years) their alexithymic features were measured using the 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20).

Results

In females, none of the developmental factors remained associated with later alexithymic features in the multivariate analyses. However, in males, emphasis on the variables measuring speech development was important. In particular, a variable measuring the ability to comply with multi-part instructions was strongly related with alexithymic features in late adolescence.

Conclusion

The results suggest speech development is a significant factor in the developmental process of alexithymia, at least in males. It is possible that children who have impaired language skills and therefore struggle in social situations have a higher risk of developing alexithymia. This emphasizes the need for further research, to assess how the inadequate speech development predisposes to the emergence of alexithymic features and whether it is a gender-specific phenomenon.

Type
P02-522
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2011
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