An Application of Item Response Theory to Alexithymia Assessment Among Abstinent Alcoholics

Michael S. Hendryx, Mark G. Haviland, Robert D. Gibbons, David C. Clark

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

An item response theory (IRT) model identified three dimensions assessed by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) in s sample of 130 male applicants for inpatient care at a Veterans Administration (VA) medical center alcoholism, treatment program. A unidimensionai solution did not capture ail 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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)506-515
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Personality Assessment
Volume58
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 1992

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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