The effect of alexithymia on functioning and perceived social support after a manic episode

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to examine the correlation of alexithymia, functioning, and perceived social support in patients after a manic episode.
METHODS: Sample selection was not carried out in this descriptive study, and 267 patients who met the inclusion criteria constituted the sample. Data collection was performed via face-to-face interviews using the Personal Information Form, Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Bipolar Disorder Functioning Questionnaire (BDFQ), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). The data were analyzed using the SPSS program.
RESULTS: It was determined that 19.5% (n=52) of the patients included in the study were alexithymic. A significant negative correlation was identified between alexithymia and perceived social support (r=–0.313; p<0.05) and functioning (r=–0.467; p<0.05), and a significant positive correlation was found between functioning and perceived social support (r=0.504; p<0.05). According to linear regression analysis, the alexithymia scores of the participants explained 22% of the variance in their functioning scores (R²=0.218, F=73.797, p<0.001, 95% CI: 0.399–0.250), and alexithymia scores explained 10% of the variance in perceived social support scores (R²=0.098, F=28.880, p<0.001, 95% CI: 0.308–0.143).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study found that functioning and perceived social support decreased as alexithymia increased in post-manic patients. Functioning and perceived social support affect each other in the same direction. Interventions aimed at reducing alexithymia in patients after manic episodes may be useful in preventing episodes by maintaining functionality and increasing perceived social support.