Understanding alexithymia: Associations with peer attachment style and mind-mindedness

Associations between alexithymia, peer attachment, and mind-mindedness (the tendency to describe people with reference to their emotions and cognitions) were explored in a questionnaire-based study of British undergraduates (N = 270). Positive associations were seen between attachment anxiety and (a) overall alexithymia scores, (b) Difficulty Identifying Feelings, and (c) Difficulty Describing Feelings. Attachment avoidance was positively associated with (a) overall alexithymia scores, (b) Difficulty Describing Feelings, and (c) Externally Oriented Thinking, and was negatively associated with mind-mindedness. Individuals’ mind-mindedness met the criteria for mediating the relation between attachment avoidance and Externally Oriented Thinking. Findings are discussed with reference to the importance of distinguishing ability versus propensity to employ mentalizing skills in theoretical understandings of alexithymia.