An examination of the relationship between alexithymia and somatic complaints of mothers and obsessive-compulsive features of children

Abstract

Objective:The study aims to determine the relationship of alexithymic features and somatization levels in their mothers to obsessive-compulsive features in children.Participants:The sample of our research is composed of 173 mothers and 173 children who are in high school in Osmaniye province. Methods:Sociodemographic data form developed by the researcher, Symptom Check List (SCL-90-R) (Somatisation subscale), Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive Questionaire (MOCQ), and 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) is used as a data collection tool. Results:It was found that there was a strong positive correlation between MOCQ total scores of children with SCL-90's (r = 0,776) Somatization subscale scores and Alexithymia Total scores (r = 0,613) of mothers. Also, all Subscales of MOCQ scores are correlated with TAS-20 subscales and SCL-90 (Somatization subscale) except rumination subscale of MOCQ scales. Conclusion:Mothers who come from ignorant feelings and have somatic complaints affect the relationship with their children significantly. As a result of this relationship, obsessive thoughts increase in children.

Keywords

• alexithymia
• somatic complains
• obsessions
• mothers