The relationship between alexithymia and women's perceived social support

Introduction: Difficulties in identifying emotions under the name of alexithymia are linked to insufficiency in social and cognitive functioning, which reduces people's well-being and efficiency. Considering the less investigation of individual aspects of alexithymia in predicting challenges related to the quality of life, social functioning, and interpersonal interactions of women, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between alexithymia and the perceived social support of women. Method: The statistical population of the present study included women living in Mashhad. ۱۰۶ people were selected using the available sampling method and completed the Toronto Alexithymia Questionnaire (FTAS-۲۰) and Zimmet et al.'s Multidimensional Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Data analysis was done through mean, Pearson correlation coefficient, and linear regression analysis using SPSS-۲۶ software. Results: Based on the findings, there was a negative and significant relationship between emotional dyslexia and the perceived social support of women (P<۰.۰۱). A comparison of regression coefficients showed that alexithymia (β=۰.۲۵) is a negative and significant predictor for perceived social support. Discussion and conclusion: considering the protective role of social support against health problems and the relationship between alexithymia and less understood social support, the tendency to high levels of negative alexithymia confusion, the possibility of developing problems in physical and psychological health And there are social functions that highlight the necessity of increasing quality educational and therapeutic measures focused on expanding the support network, social skills, improving the mental health and emotional state of women.

Keywords:

Alexithymia , Emotion regulation , Cognitive process , Perceived Social Support. Females.