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BMC Psychiatry

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Addiction | Research

Investigating defensive functioning and alexithymia in substance use disorder patients

Authors: Alessandro Taurino, Linda A. Antonucci, Paolo Taurisano, Domenico Laera

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) causes a great deal of personal suffering for patients. Recent evidence highlights how defenses and emotion regulation may play a crucial part in the onset and development of this disorder.

The aim of this study was to investigate potential differences in the defensive functioning between SUD patients and non-clinical controls. Secondly, we aimed at investigating the relationships between alexithymia and maladaptive/assimilation defenses.

Methods

The authors assessed defensive functioning (Response Evaluation Measure-71, REM-71), personality (MMPI-II), and alexithymia (TAS-20) of 171 SUD patients (17% female; mean age = 36.5), compared to 155 controls. Authors performed a series of ANOVAs to investigate the defensive array in SUD patients compared to that of non-clinical controls. Student t test for indipendent samples was used to compare clinical characteristics between the SUD group and the controls. To investigate the role of single defenses in explaining alexithimia’s subscores, stepwise multiple regression analysis were carried out on socio-demographic characteristics of participants (gender, age, and years of education), with REM-71 defenses as predictors.

Results

SUD patients presented a more maladaptive/assimilation (Factor 1) defensive array (p < .001). Among SUD sub-groups, Alcohol Use Disorder patients showed more disfuncional defenses. Factor 1 defenses were related to a worse psychological functioning. In addition, alexyhimia (particularly DIF) was strongly related to Factor 1 defenses, expecially Projection (38% of variance explained, β = .270, p < .001).

Conclusion

The REM-71 and the TAS-20 might be useful screening instruments among SUD patients.

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Title: Investigating defensive functioning and alexithymia in substance use disorder patients
Authors: Alessandro Taurino
Linda A. Antonucci
Paolo Taurisano
Domenico Laera
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Addiction
Addiction
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03340-w

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Investigating defensive functioning and alexithymia in substance use disorder patients

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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