Disabled Athletes Have Higher Alexithymia Scores Compared to Disabled Non-Athletes
Author(s): Hayri Demir
Abstract
Introduction: Alexithymia means difficulties identifying and describing one’s own emotions.
Aim: This study was conducted to investigate the differences in alexithymia and social comparison scale scores in disabled athletes and disabled non-athletes.
Materials and Methods: One hundred and seventy-two sedentary or disabled non-athletes and 167 disabled athletes participated in the study. The Turkish version of the Social Comparison Scale was used to assess the points associated with social comparison scale. The Turkish version of Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) was used to assess the points associated with alexithymia.
Results: Disabled athletes had higher alexithymia scores compared to disabled non-athletes. But, the social comparison score was not different between disabled athletes and non-athletes. Also, the alexithymia scores had positive correlation with the social comparison score in total sample and in disabled athletes, but not in non-athletes.
Conclusion: The higher alexithymia scores in disabled athletes may be related to the higher depression, anxiety and psychological stress in athletes compared to non-athletes.
<