Alexithymic Traits and Hair Cortisol Concentrations in Pregnant Women
Ana João Rodrigues; Max Karukivi; Noora M. Scheinin; Linnea Karlsson; Hasse Karlsson; Jani Kajanoja; Paula Mustonen; Susanna Kortesluoma
Alexithymic Traits and Hair Cortisol Concentrations in Pregnant Women
Ana João Rodrigues
Max Karukivi
Noora M. Scheinin
Linnea Karlsson
Hasse Karlsson
Jani Kajanoja
Paula Mustonen
Susanna Kortesluoma
FRONTIERS MEDIA SA
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on:
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2021042822594
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2021042822594
Tiivistelmä
Introduction
Alexithymia, a personality construct characterized by difficulties in identifying and expressing emotions, and an externally oriented thinking style, has been associated with a number of stress-related disorders, and physiological markers of stress. We examined the relationships of alexithymia and hair cortisol concentrations (HCC), a measure of long-term cortisol levels, in pregnant women.
Methods
Participants were 130 women from the FinnBrain Birth Cohort study. Alexithymia was measured with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Analysis of covariance and regression analyses were used to assess the associations between alexithymia and HCC. Educational level, current depressive symptoms, and body mass index (BMI) were applied as covariates.
Results
In the adjusted analyses, individuals with moderate to high alexithymic traits had significantly higher HCC (F = 5.11, partial eta(2) = 0.040 , p = 0.026) compared to non-alexithymics. Regression analyses in the whole sample revealed that, of the individual dimensions of alexithymia, Difficulty Identifying Feelings (DIF) was associated with HCC (beta = 0.187, t = 2.064, p = 0.041).
Conclusions
Alexithymia, and especially its dimension DIF, were associated with higher HCC and, therefore, may be linked to increased chronic physiological stress. Implications for pregnancy outcomes and infant development are discussed.
Kokoelmat
- Rinnakkaistallenteet [19207]