Criterion-related validity of diagnostic criteria for alexithymia in a general hospital psychiatric setting

Background: The diagnostic criteria for alexithymia (DCA) was proposed by Fava et al. in 1995. The purpose of this study was to examine the criterion-related validity of the DCA in a general hospital psychiatric setting. Methods: The subjects included 126 outpatients with psychiatric disturbance. The severity of alexithymic characteristics was assessed using the DCA and Beth Israel Hospital Psychosomatic Questionnaire (BIQ). Two Japanese versions of the 26-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-26) and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) were administered. Results: The DCA had relatively high sensitivity and specificity, indicating adequate discriminant validity. The discriminant validity of the DCA was also supported by significant associations of the DCA with the TAS-26 and MMPI-2. These results indicate that when used for screening, the DCA has adequate criterion-related validity. Conclusions: The DCA may be clinically useful in a general hospital psychiatric setting.