Alexithymia and Coping Strategies: Predictors of Hopelessness?

Abstract

Introduction

Alexithymic traits and coping strategies may affect the onset and course of many psychiatric conditions. However, their role in determining hopelessness and suicide risk has been not still elucidated.

Objectives

The present study analyzed the correlations between alexithymia, coping strategies, and hopelessness.

Aims

We aimed to evaluate whether specific coping strategies and alexithymia may predict hopelessness which is widely considered an independent risk factor for suicide.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 276 patients (19.9% men, 81.1% women; mean age: 48.1 years, SD: 16.9), of which most with major affective disorders, who were admitted at the Psychiatric Unit of the University of Genoa (Italy). All participants were assessed using the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (COPE), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20).

Results

Alexythimic subjects significantly differ from non-alexythimic individuals in terms of substance abuse (χ² = 23.1; P = .027). According to bivariate analyses, we found a significant correlation between hopelessness and suicidal thoughts/wishes (r = .34; P = .01), humor (r = –.24; P = .05), and behavioural disengagement (r = .205; P = .05). Behavioural disengagement is also a positive predictor of hopelessness (OR = 1.25; 95% CI: 1.03–1.52) while humour is a negative predictor of hopelessness (OR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.73–0.99).

Conclusions

Behavioural disengagement needs to be considered a risk factor while humor is a protective factor for suicide. Surprisingly, we found no significant association between alexithymia and hopelessness. Further additional studies are requested to test these exploratory findings in order to more deeply elucidate the role of both alexithymia and coping strategies in suicidal behaviour.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.