Personality traits and alexithymia: A closer look at university students in a cross-sectional study

Abstract

This study investigates the association between student personality traits and alexithymia among university students. In this cross-sectional study, 290 students were selected through multistage cluster sampling. Standard questionnaires of 5 personality traits (NEO Five-Factor Inventory) and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale were used to determine alexithymia and personality traits. An independent t test in SPSS 21.0 was performed to compare the scores of several personality traits between students with and without alexithymia. Also, the logistic regression model was used to investigate the adjusted associations. The mean age of participants was 22.6 +/- 3.8 years. Most students were female (77.9) and single (88.5). According to the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, 127 of 290 students (43.8) displayed signs of alexithymia. The neuroticism trait was considerably greater in alexithymic students than the others (27.20 +/- 3.90 vs 25.48 +/- 4.90; P < .01), as well as the conscientiousness trait (20.16 +/- 3.84 vs 21.58 +/- 5.00; P = .01). Logistic regression showed that each unit increase in neuroticism trait increases alexithymia odds by 10, while each unit raises in conscientiousness trait decreases odds by 8. Considering a significant association between personality traits and alexithymia, better screening and interventional programs through personality traits will prevent or alleviate the symptoms of alexithymia among university students.