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Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings

Published in:

01-03-2019

Factorial Validity of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) in Clinical Samples: A Critical Examination of the Literature and a Psychometric Study in Anorexia Nervosa

Authors: Sandra Torres, Marina P. Guerra, Kylee Miller, Patrício Costa, Inês Cruz, Filipa M. Vieira, Isabel Brandão, António Roma-Torres, Magda Rocha

Published in: Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

There is extensive use of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) in research and clinical practice in anorexia nervosa (AN), though it is not empirically established in this population. This study aims to examine the factorial validity of the TAS-20 in a Portuguese AN sample (N = 125), testing four different models (ranging from 1 to 4 factors) that were identified in critical examination of existing factor analytic studies. Results of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) suggested that the three-factor solution, measuring difficulty identifying (DIF) and describing feelings (DDF), and externally oriented thinking (EOT), was the best fitting model. The quality of measurement improves if two EOT items (16 and 18) are eliminated. Internal consistency of EOT was low and decreased with age. The results provide support for the factorial validity of the TAS-20 in AN. Nevertheless, the measurement of EOT requires some caution and may be problematic in AN adolescents.

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Title: Factorial Validity of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) in Clinical Samples: A Critical Examination of the Literature and a Psychometric Study in Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Sandra Torres
Marina P. Guerra
Kylee Miller
Patrício Costa
Inês Cruz
Filipa M. Vieira
Isabel Brandão
António Roma-Torres
Magda Rocha
Publication date: 01-03-2019
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings / Issue 1/2019
Print ISSN: 1068-9583
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3572
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-018-9562-y

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Factorial Validity of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) in Clinical Samples: A Critical Examination of the Literature and a Psychometric Study in Anorexia Nervosa

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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