High alexithymia in Chilean indigenous and Hispanic adolescent population : a cross cultural study

Abstract

Objective: 20 item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) research with adolescents became increasingly popular the past years yet still there is little to no data examining two different ethnical adolescent groups sharing comparable environment. Furthermore, there are no indications that TAS-20 has ever been used in Chile. We conducted a transcultural comparison investigating the influence of ethnicity, gender and age on a low socioeconomic teenage population. Additionally Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed. Methods: In this cohort study of (n=230) 98 indigenous students were compared to the Hispanic control group of (132 participants). Both groups also completed Self Assesment Maniquin (SAM). Results: We found proper replicability and internal reliability of TAS-20 and the three-factor solution. We found high alexithymia rates and significant differences between the ethnicities and genders but no influence of age. SAM indicated significant difference in perception of self-esteem and lower dominance rates in the Indigenous sample. Conclusion: Although factor 3 (EOT) was inconsistent to some degree, TAS - 20 Spanish Version was found to show proper fit using the original three-factor structure and resulted to be an appropriate measure for adolescents. Indigenous ethnicity, gender, low socioeconomic status, oppression and power distance in a rural environment contribute to high alexithymia rates. Objective: 20 item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) research with adolescents became increasingly popular the past years yet still there is little to no data examining two different ethnical adolescent groups sharing comparable environment. Furthermore, there are no indications that TAS-20 has ever been used in Chile. We conducted a transcultural comparison investigating the influence of ethnicity, gender and age on a low socioeconomic teenage population. Additionally Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed. Methods: In this cohort study of (n=230) 98 indigenous students were compared to the Hispanic control group of (132 participants). Both groups also completed Self Assesment Maniquin (SAM). Results: We found proper replicability and internal reliability of TAS-20 and the three-factor solution. We found high alexithymia rates and significant differences between the ethnicities and genders but no influence of age. SAM indicated significant difference in perception of self-esteem and lower dominance rates in the Indigenous sample. Conclusion: Although factor 3 (EOT) was inconsistent to some degree, TAS - 20 Spanish Version was found to show proper fit using the original three-factor structure and resulted to be an appropriate measure for adolescents. Indigenous ethnicity, gender, low socioeconomic status, oppression and power distance in a rural environment contribute to high alexithymia rates.