Measurement of alexithymia. Recommendations for clinical practice and future research

Abstract

The clinical assessment of alexithymia and research investigating its neurobiologic correlates require standardized assessment instruments. Observer-rated questionnaires, self-report scales, and projective techniques are currently available for measuring alexithymia, but most of these lack adequate reliability and validity. The Toronto Alexithymia Scale appears to have excellent psychometric properties, but a multimethod, multimeasure approach will enhance both measurement and further evaluation of the alexithymia construct.