Table 4: Summary of mediation analyses from included studies. Study Population Sample Study Variables (measure, Analysis Outcome Comments Size Cronbach's α)* Beroccal et al, University 177 IV Alexithymia (TAS-20, Hierarchical Experiential avoidance did Effect of alexithymia on emotional 2009 students and = .82) regression and not significantly mediate distress only 7% when experiential α general Sobel test the relationship between avoidance in the – population - DV Emotional distress Baron & alexithymia and emotional Italy (Depression/anxiety Kenny method distress. AAQ has been found to have low subscale of the (1986). internal consistency. Also found = .69) within this study. α Mediator Experiential avoidance BASIS-32 designed and normed for (AAQ, = .53) use during psychiatric hospital α admission to measure change during treatment. Not designed as a general measure of psychological distress within the general population. Bilotta et al, General 315 IV Negative Emotionality Moderated The avoidance Alexithymic participants = 27.3% 2015 population X Avoidant Coping multiple coping/negative – enrolled (Negative affect of regression emotionality interaction through the PANAS, =.90; predicted levels of α Mechanical Avoidant coping items alexithymia, and this was
Table 4: Summary of mediation analyses from included studies. Study Population Sample Size Study Variables (measure, Cronbach's α)* Analysis Outcome Comments Beroccal et al, 2009 University students and general population - Italy 177 IV DV Mediator Alexithymia (TAS-20, α = .82) Emotional distress (Depression/anxiety subscale of the α = .69) Experiential avoidance (AAQ, α = .53) Hierarchical regression and Sobel test – Baron & Kenny method (1986). Experiential avoidance did not significantly mediate the relationship between alexithymia and emotional distress. Effect of alexithymia on emotional distress only 7% when experiential avoidance in the AAQ has been found to have low internal consistency. Also found within this study. BASIS-32 designed and normed for use during psychiatric hospital admission to measure change during treatment. Not designed as a general measure of psychological distress within the general population. Bilotta et al, 2015 General population – enrolled through Mechanical 315 IV Negative Emotionality X Avoidant Coping (Negative affect of the PANAS, α =.90; Avoidant coping items Moderated multiple regression The avoidance coping/negative emotionality interaction predicted levels of alexithymia, and this was Alexithymic participants = 27.3%
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