Parental bonding and alexithymia: A meta-analysis

Abstract Aim The primary purpose of this meta-analysis was to explore, clarify and report the strength of the relationship between alexithymia, as measured by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and parenting style as measured by the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI). Methods Web of Science, Psy...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:European psychiatry 2011-04, Vol.26 (3), p.187-193
Main Authors: Thorberg, F.A, Young, R.McD, Sullivan, K.A, Lyvers, M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Affect
Affect dysregulation
Affective Symptoms - psychology
Alexithymia
Biological and medical sciences
Humans
Internal Medicine
Medical sciences
Meta-analysis
Object Attachment
Parent-Child Relations
Parental bonding
Parenting - psychology
Parenting style
Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Review
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract Aim The primary purpose of this meta-analysis was to explore, clarify and report the strength of the relationship between alexithymia, as measured by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and parenting style as measured by the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI). Methods Web of Science, PsycInfo, PubMed and ProQuest: Dissertations and Theses searches were undertaken, yielding nine samples with sufficient data to be included in the meta-analysis. Results Evidence indicated moderate to strong relationships between maternal care and alexithymia, and between maternal care and two of the three TAS-20 alexithymia facets (Difficulties Describing Feelings and Difficulties Identifying Feelings, but not Externally Oriented Thinking). Moderate relationships were observed for both maternal- and paternal-overprotection and alexithymia respectively, and for overprotection (both maternal and paternal) and Difficulties Describing Feelings. Conclusion This study is the first meta-analysis of the relationship between parenting styles and alexithymia, and findings confirm an especially strong association between maternal care and key elements of alexithymia. This review highlights the issues that still remain to be addressed in exploring the link between parenting style and alexithymia.
ISSN:0924-9338
1778-3585
DOI:10.1016/j.eurpsy.2010.09.010