Impact of alexithymia on aggression among individuals with and without anxiety

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the relationship between Alexithymia and Aggression in individuals with and without anxiety. For this purpose Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) was selected to assess Alexithymia, Generalized Anxiety Scale-7 (GAD-7) was used to assess Anxiety while Buss & Perry Aggression Questionnaire was used to measure Aggression. Data was collected from students of various universities from Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Sample comprised of females (n=77) and males (n=53) with age range 18-25 years. Psychometric properties of scales indicted moderate to good reliability for the study sample. Results showed significant positive correlation of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) with Aggression and Alexithymia (including subscales). Alexithymia and its subscales were also found to be significantly positively correlated to Aggression. No significant mean differences were found across gender of the participants. Individuals with anxiety scored high on Alexithymia and its two subscales and Aggression. Results also found that Alexithymia and its Factor 1 (DIF) are significant predictors of Aggression.