Cross validation of the factor structure of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale: an Italian multicenter study

J Psychosom Res. 1996 Dec;41(6):551-9. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3999(96)00228-0.

Abstract

The 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) has been shown in previous research to measure a general dimension of alexithymia with three intercorrelated factors. This study evaluated the reliability and factorial validity of an Italian translation of the TAS-20 in a group of normal adults (N = 206) and in a mixed group of medical and psychiatric outpatients (N = 642). Using confirmatory factor analyses, the previously established three-factor model of the TAS-20 was found to be replicable in both groups. In addition, the Italian TAS-20 demonstrated adequate estimates of internal reliability and test-retest reliability. Although evaluation of the convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity of the TAS-20 is required in Italian populations, the present results support the use of the Italian translation of the scale for clinical and research purposes.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Affective Symptoms / diagnosis*
  • Aged
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Psychological
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / standards*
  • Psychometrics / standards*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sampling Studies
  • Translating