Overview
Alexithymia is a condition characterized by a low degree of emotional self-awareness, including difficulty identifying and describing one’s own feelings, difficulty recognising emotional experiences from internal bodily signals, and a thinking style that focuses more on the external reality and less on emotion (Bagby et al., 2020; Nemiah et al., 1976; Taylor et al., 1991). The TAS-20 is the most frequently and widely used measure of Aleximythia (Bagby et al., 2020). Developed and used primarily with adults, studies have evaluated the psychometric properties of the TAS-20 with adolescents (example links below). The 20-items included in the TAS are divided into three subscales reflecting three components of alexithymia: Difficulty identifying feelings (DIF), Difficulty Describing Feelings (DDF) and Externally-Oriented Thinking (EOT).Scoring & Interpretation
Respondents are asked to score each item on a five-point response scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5= strongly agree. The measure has three subscales: Difficulty Identifying Feelings (DIF), Difficulty Describing Feelings (DDF). Externally-orientated Thinking (EOT). Scores range from 20 to 100. Items 4, 5, 10, 18, 19 are reverse scored. Higher scores indicating greater degree of alexithymic traits. In adults scores of 20-51 indicate no alexithymia, scores of 52-60 indicate possible alexithymia and scores of 61-100 indicate alexithymia.Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency
Cronbach alpha values above.75 were reported for the total score and DIF and DDF subscales in both student and clinical samples and .64 (clinical sample) and .66 (student sample) in the EOT subscale.
Test-Retest Reliability
The test-retest reliability of the TAS-20 was established with the separate sample of 72 students, measures were completed 3 wk apart (.77, p < 0.01).
Factor Structure
Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis established a three-factor model in a student and clinical sample.