Alexithymia, Experiential Avoidance, and Fear of Intimacy among Young Adults

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the relationship between experiential avoidance, alexithymia, and fear of intimacy among young adults. It was hypothesized that there is likely to be a relationship among experiential avoidance, alexithymia, and fear of intimacy among young adults. To study the assumed relationship correlational research design was used. The sample consisted of young adults N (245) (female=124 & male=121) (M=.49, SD= .50), and was selected through purposive sampling, recruited from Private and Government Universities, with age range from 18-30. Scales that were used were the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ; Hayes et al., 2004), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (Bagby, Parker, et al., 1994; Bagby, Taylor, et al., 1994), Fear of Intimacy Scale (FIS; Descutner & Thelen, 1991). For finding results we used Pearson product-moment correlation and hierarchical multiple regression. The result showed that fear of intimacy has a significant and positive correlation with alexithymia and experiential avoidance. The result of multiple hierarchical regression analysis came out significant, which means the hypothesis was proved right: experiential avoidance and fear of intimacy in young adults predicted fear of intimacy. Results of the t-test showed there was no significant gender difference in experiential avoidance, alexithymia, and fear of intimacy. The present study implies psychotherapies to deal with alexithymia and experiential avoidance. It involves therapies and techniques that can help individuals analyze their emotions and be able to use a better way to express their emotions.