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Volume 12, Issue 2 (Spring--In Press 2026)
JCCNC 2026, 12(2): 3-3 |
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Seyedoshohadaee M, Tajik M, Haghani S. Alexithymia and Its Relationship with Anxiety in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. JCCNC 2026; 12 (2) :3-3
URL: http://jccnc.iums.ac.ir/article-1-884-en.html
URL: http://jccnc.iums.ac.ir/article-1-884-en.html
1- Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2- Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,mo.tajik24@gmail.com
3- Nursing Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2- Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,
3- Nursing Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (11 Views)
Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease with an increasing prevalence worldwide. Individuals with MS exhibit higher levels of psychological disorders compared to those without the disease. Among the most common of these disorders are anxiety and alexithymia. Few studies, especially in Iran, have explored these states in MS patients. This study aims to investigate the relationship between alexithymia and anxiety in people with MS.
Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational study was conducted among 265 individuals reffering to the Iran MS Society in Tehran, using a continuous sampling method from June to August 2024. The tools used included a Sociodemographic information form, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The Pearson correlation coefficient, Independent Samples T-Test and Analysis of variance were utilized for the analytical evaluation of the data by using SPSS version 16. The significance level in all tests was considered to be p < 0.05.
Results: The mean alexithymia score in this population was (60.16± 18.80) indicating a high prevalence of alexithymia in individuals with MS. A significant proportion of the participants experienced severe anxiety level (41.5%). Statistical analyses revealed a significant positive correlation between alexithymia and its subscales with the level of anxiety (p < 0.001), meaning that with an increase in the alexithymia score and its subscales, the anxiety score also increases. Alexithymia demonstrated a correlation with education level (p= 0.012), a direct relationship with the age at the time of MS diagnosis (p= 0.021) and an inverse relationship with the time passed since MS diagnosis (p= 0.031). Anxiety levels were associated with gender (more prevalent in women with p=0.011), employment status (p=0.047) and type of MS (p=0.02).
Conclusion: Considering the results of this study, healthcare team is suggested to prioritize the recognition of the symptoms of these disorders and use strategies to improve the mental health of patients with MS.
Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational study was conducted among 265 individuals reffering to the Iran MS Society in Tehran, using a continuous sampling method from June to August 2024. The tools used included a Sociodemographic information form, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The Pearson correlation coefficient, Independent Samples T-Test and Analysis of variance were utilized for the analytical evaluation of the data by using SPSS version 16. The significance level in all tests was considered to be p < 0.05.
Results: The mean alexithymia score in this population was (60.16± 18.80) indicating a high prevalence of alexithymia in individuals with MS. A significant proportion of the participants experienced severe anxiety level (41.5%). Statistical analyses revealed a significant positive correlation between alexithymia and its subscales with the level of anxiety (p < 0.001), meaning that with an increase in the alexithymia score and its subscales, the anxiety score also increases. Alexithymia demonstrated a correlation with education level (p= 0.012), a direct relationship with the age at the time of MS diagnosis (p= 0.021) and an inverse relationship with the time passed since MS diagnosis (p= 0.031). Anxiety levels were associated with gender (more prevalent in women with p=0.011), employment status (p=0.047) and type of MS (p=0.02).
Conclusion: Considering the results of this study, healthcare team is suggested to prioritize the recognition of the symptoms of these disorders and use strategies to improve the mental health of patients with MS.
Keywords: Alexithymia, Anxiety, Multiple sclerosis, Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/04/30 | Accepted: 2025/09/28 | Published: 2026/04/21
Received: 2025/04/30 | Accepted: 2025/09/28 | Published: 2026/04/21
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