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The relationship between self‐harm and alexithymia
Author(s) -
Norman Hilary,
Borrill Jo
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.743
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1467-9450
pISSN - 0036-5564
DOI - 10.1111/sjop.12217
Subject(s) - alexithymia , psychology , harm , clinical psychology , vulnerability (computing) , depression (economics) , cognition , human factors and ergonomics , poison control , psychiatry , social psychology , medicine , medical emergency , computer security , computer science , economics , macroeconomics
This paper presents a systematic review of the literature concerning the relationship between alexithymia and self‐harm. Fifteen studies were selected following a systematic search of relevant databases. Results indicate significantly higher levels of alexithymia in women who self‐harm compared with women who do not self‐harm. Studies of men were less conclusive and require further investigation. A subsample of the studies found that childhood abuse and bullying were more likely to be associated with self‐harm if alexithymia was present as a mediator. Other studies found that depression mediated between alexithymia and self‐harm. The results indicate that the poor emotional cognition and expression associated with alexithymia may increase vulnerability to self‐harm, particularly in women.