Adult attachment style and alexithymia

The focus of the present study was to investigate the relationship between adult attachment behaviour and alexithymia. Adult attachment behaviour and alexithymic characteristics were assessed using questionnaire methods. In a single session, 301 University students completed an Italian version of the Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ) and the Italian version of the 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Moderate positive correlations were found among TAS total score and several ASQ subscales such as the Discomfort with Closeness (0.35), the Relationships as Secondary (0.38) and the Need for Approval (0.41). On the other hand, TAS total score and the Confidence subscale of the ASQ showed a moderate negative correlation (-0.45). These results provide interesting cues. Possible hypothetical explanations of this association are discussed. Further longitudinal researches are needed to better investigate the relationship between the sociocultural environment, deficiencies in mother-child relationship and the ease of confidence in intimacy in adulthood. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.