Abstract
While the negative consequences of alexithymia have been widely studied, few researches have delved into its influencing factors. The current study aimed to investigate how family functioning affects alexithymia among adolescents and the mediating roles of friendship quality and school connectedness in this relationship. A total of 585 participants aged 15 to 19 ( 80.8% of the 724 participants surveyed) were selected and measured using the following scales: Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Family Assessment Device, Friendship Quality Questionnaire, and School Connectedness Scale. Correlation analysis showed that alexithymia was negatively associated with friendship quality and school connectedness, but positively correlated with family dysfunction. Mediation analysis suggested that family dysfunction was a risk factor for alexithymia, and school connectedness mediated the relationship between family functioning and alexithymia. Moreover, friendship quality and school connectedness sequentially mediated the relationship between family functioning and alexithymia. These findings provide empirical evidence regarding the factors contributing to alexithymia in adolescents, with a particular focus on identifying risk and protective factors within family and school settings. This implies a potential perspective for interventions aimed at preventing the onset of alexithymia in individuals through their developmental stages.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data Availability
The datasets are available from the corresponding author on request.
References
Abigail, M., Rhiannon, B., Alan, M., Melissa, S., & Paul, S. (2012). School connectedness, peer attachment, and self-esteem as predictors of adolescent depression. Journal of Adolescence, 35(4), 1061–1067. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2012.02.015
Bagby, R. M., Parker, J. D. A., & Taylor, G. J. (1994). The twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale-I. Item selection and cross-validation of the factor structure. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 38(1), 23–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(94)90005-1
Berardelli, I., Serafini, G., Cortese, N., Fiaschè, F., O’Connor, R. C., & Pompili, M. (2020). The involvement of hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis in Suicide risk. Brain Sciences, 10(9), 653. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10090653
Bond, L., Butler, H., & Thomas, L. (2007). Social and school connectedness in early secondary school as predictors of late teenage substance use, mental health, and academic outcomes. Journal of Adolescent Health, 40(4), 357–359. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.10.013
Bronfenbrenner, U., & Morris, P. A. (2006). The bioecological model of human development. In N. Eisenberg, R. A., Fabes, T. L., Spinrad (Eds.) Handbook of child psychology (pp. 793-828).
Çevlik, E. T., Demetoglu, G. A., Akyl, R. E., & Akyl, M. A. (2020). Investigation of alexithymia, anxiety and loneliness state in bruxism patients. Meandros Medical and Dental Journal, 21(3), 182–188. https://doi.org/10.4274/meandros.galenos.2020.85547
Chen, X., Ma, L. W., Chen, H., J., & Chan, Y. (2017). The relation between parent-adolescent relationship and adolescent psychological capital: The mediating effect of friendship quality and the moderating effect of school bonding. Psychological Development and Education, 33(05), 544–553. https://doi.org/10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2017.05.04
Chi, X., Chen, S., Wang, Q., Huang, Q., & Han, P. (2021). Effects of family functioning on behaviour problem in adolescents: A moderated mediating effect. Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology, 29(02), 246–251. https://doi.org/10.16128/j.cnki.1005-3611.2021.02.006
Dai, B., & Peng, M. (2021). The relationship between peer friendship quality and social adaptability of rural left-behind children: A moderation analysis. Journal of Psychological Science, 44(06), 1361–1368. https://doi.org/10.16719/j.cnki.1671-6981.20210611
Epstein, N. B., Bishop, D. S., & Levin, S. (1978). The McMaster model of family functioning. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 4(4), 19–31. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-0606.1978.tb00537.x
Flynn, H. K., Felmlee, D. H., & Conger, R. D. (2017). The social context of adolescent friendships: Parents, peers, and romantic partners. Youth & Society, 49(5), 679–705. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X1455990
Fu, W., Zhu, Y., Wang, J., & Dong, H. (2023). Parent–child conflict and friendship quality of Chinese adolescence: The mediating role of resilience. Current Psychology, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-04195-4
Furman, W., & Buhrmester, D. (1992). Age and sex differences in perceptions of networks of personal relationships. Child Development, 63(1), 103–115. https://doi.org/10.2307/1130905
Glick, G. C., & Rose, A. J. (2011). Prospective associations between friendship adjustment and social strategies: Friendship as a context for building social skills. Developmental Psychology, 47(4), 1117–1132. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0023277
Goetschius, L. G., McLoyd, V. C., Hein, T. C., Mitchell, C., Hyde, L. W., & Monk, C. S. (2021). School connectedness as a protective factor against childhood exposure to Violence and social deprivation: A longitudinal study of adaptive and maladaptive outcomes. Development and Psychopathology, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579421001140
Goodenow, C. (1993). The psychological sense of school membership among adolescents: Scale development and educational correlates. Psychology in the Schools, 30(1), 79–90. https://doi.org/10.1002/1520-6807(199301)30:1>79::AID-PITS2310300113<3.0.CO;2-X
Greene, R. R., Galambos, C., & Lee, Y. (2004). Resilience theory: Theoretical and professional conceptualizations. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 8(4), 75–91. https://doi.org/10.1300/J137v08n04_05
Huang, M., & Zhao, S. (2020). The influence of alexithymia on college students’ mobile addiction tendency: The role of loneliness and mindfulness. Studies of Psychology and Behavior, 18(05), 686–692.
Joukamaa, M., Luutonen, S., von Reventlow, H., Patterson, P., Karlsson, H., & Salokangas, R. K. (2008). Alexithymia and childhood abuse among patients attending primary and psychiatric care: Results of the RADEP Study. Psychosomatics, 49(4), 317–325. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psy.49.4.317
King, J. L., & Mallinckrodt, B. (2000). Family environment and alexithymia in clients and non-clients. Psychotherapy Research, 10(1), 78–86. https://doi.org/10.1080/713663595
Li, X., & Hao, C. (2019). The relationship between parental attachment and mobile phone dependence among Chinese rural adolescents: The role of alexithymia and mindfulness. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 598. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00598
Li, R., Xu, F., Ji, L., & Zhang, W. (2013). Revision of Family Assessment device(FAD). China Journal of Health Psychology, 21(7), 996–1000. https://doi.org/10.13342/j.cnki.cjhp.2013.07.003
Marsh, R. J., Higgins, K., Morgan, J., Cumming, T. M., Brown, M., & McCreery, M. (2019). Evaluating school connectedness of students with emotional and behavioral disorders. Children & Schools, 41(3), 153–160. https://doi.org/10.1093/cs/cdz013
Masarik, A. S., & Conger, R. D. (2017). Stress and child development: A review of the family stress model. Current Opinion in Psychology, 13(2), 85–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2016.05.008
Miljkovitch, R., Mallet, P., Moss, E., Sirparanta, A., Pascuzzo, K., & Zdebik, M. A. (2021). Adolescents’ attachment to parents and peers: Links to young adulthood friendship quality. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 30(6), 1441–1452. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-021-01962-y
Miller, I. W., Ryan, C. E., Keitner, G. I., Bishop, D. S., & Epstein, N. B. (2000). The McMaster approach to families: Theory, assessment, treatment and research. Journal of Family Therapy, 22(2), 168–189. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.00145
Negriff, S., & Susman, E. J. (2011). Pubertal timing, depression, and externalizing problems: A framework, review, and examination of gender differences. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 21(3), 717–746. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-7795.2010.00708.x
Olson, D. H., Russell, C. S., & Sprenkle, D. H. (1983). Circumplex model of marital and family systems: Vl. Theoretical update. Family Process, 22(1), 69–83. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1545-5300.1983.00069.x
Page, A., Charteris, J., Anderson, J., & Boyle, C. (2021). Fostering school connectedness online for students with diverse learning needs: Inclusive education in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 36(1), 142–156. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2021.1872842
Parker, J. G., & Asher, S. R. (1993). Friendship and friendship quality in middle childhood: Links with peer group acceptance and feelings of loneliness and social dissatisfaction. Developmental Psychology, 29(4), 611. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.29.4.611
Prion, L. E., Longobardi, C., & Fabris, M. A. (2019). Effects of bullying victimization on internalizing and externalizing symptoms: The mediating role of alexithymia. Children Family Study, 28(9), 2586–2593. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01484-8
Qu, W., Li, K., & Wang, Y. (2021). Early adolescents’ parent–child communication and friendship quality: A cross-lagged analysis. Social Behavior and Personality: An International Journal, 49(9), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.10697
Resnick, M. D., Bearman, P. S., Blum, R. W., Bauman, K. E., Harris, K. M., Jones, J., & Udry, J. R. (1997). Protecting adolescents from harm: Findings from the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health. JAMA - The Journal of the American Medical Association, 278(10), 823–832. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.278.10.823
Serafini, G., Adavastro, G., Canepa, G., Capobianco, L., Conigliaro, C., Pittaluga, F., & Amore, M. (2017). Abnormalities in kynurenine pathway metabolism in treatment-resistant depression and suicidality: A systematic review. CNS & neurological disorders-drug targets (formerly current drug Targets-CNS & neurological disorders), 16(4), 440–453. https://doi.org/10.2174/1871527316666170413110605
Sifneos, P. E. (1973). The prevalence of ‘alexithymic’characteristics in psychosomatic patients. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 22(2–6), https://doi.org/10.1159/000286529. 255 – 262.
Taylor, G. J. (1984). Alexithymia: Concept, measurement, and implications for treatment. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 141(6), 725–732. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.141.6.725
Taylor, G. J., & Bagby, R. M. (2004). New trends in alexithymia research. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 73(2), 68–77. https://doi.org/10.1159/000075537
Taylor, G. J., Bagby, R. M., Ryan, D. P., & Parker, J. D. (1990). Validation of the alexithymia construct: A measurement-based approach. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 35(4), 290–297. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674379003500402
Waldrip, A. M., Malcolm, K. T., & Jensen-Campbell, L. A. (2008). With a little help from your friends: The importance of high-quality friendships on early adolescent adjustment. Social Development, 17(4), 832–852. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9507.2008.00476.x
Wang, X., Li, X., Guo, C., Hu, Y., Xia, L., Geng, F., & Liu, H. (2021). Prevalence and correlates of alexithymia and its relationship with life events in Chinese adolescents with depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 774952. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.774952
Xiong, Q., Shen, X., Yang, H., Wang, X., Yi, J., & Zhu, X. (2023). Alexithymia and adolescents’non-suicidal self-Injury: The chain mediating of maladaptive emotion regulation and depression. Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology, 03, 574–577. https://doi.org/10.16128/j.cnki.1005-3611.2023.03.013
Yang, Y., Ma, X., Kelifa, M. O., Li, X., Chen, Z., & Wang, P. (2022). The relationship between childhood abuse and depression among adolescents: The mediating role of school connectedness and psychological resilience. Child Abuse & Neglect, 131, 105760. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105760
Yin, H., & Jia, L. (2014). The research situation and development tendency of school bonding. Journal of Psychological Science, 37(05), 1180–1184. https://doi.org/10.16719/j.cnki.1671-6981.2014.05.033
Zhang, C., Chen, X., Wang, B., Yang, X., Guo, Z., Zhou, X., Lan, D., Li, X., & Mei, X. (2021). Relationship between alexithymia and loneliness in HIV/AIDS patients. Chinese Journal of Aids & STD, 27(09), 1004–1007. https://doi.org/10.13419/j.cnki.aids.2021.09.21
Zhao, Y., Zhang, K., & Griffiths, M. D. (2022). Serial mediation roles of alexithymia and loneliness in the association between family function and internet addiction among Chinese college students. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 874031. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.874031
Zhou, Z., Zhao, D., Sun, X., & Ding, X. (2006). Children’s experiences with peers and loneliness: A two-year longitudinal study. Acta Psychologica Sinica, 05, 743–750.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflicts of Interest/Competing interests
The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.
Ethical approval
The present research has been granted a letter of exemption from ethical approval by Shanxi University.
Informed consent
Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Peng, Y., Huang, J. The effects of family functioning on alexithymia among adolescents: The roles of friendship quality and school connectedness. Curr Psychol 43, 12380–12387 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-05357-8
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-05357-8