Alexithymia in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Association with Perfectionism and Defense Styles in a Cross-sectional Study
| Author | Ali Pourramzani | en |
| Author | Kourosh Mojtahedi | en |
| Author | Adele Isanazar | en |
| Author | Reza Jahanian | en |
| Orcid | Ali Pourramzani [0000-0002-1399-1670] | en |
| Orcid | Adele Isanazar [0000-0002-3425-2682] | en |
| Orcid | Reza Jahanian [0009-0005-6117-3612] | en |
| Issued Date | 2026-06-30 | en |
| Abstract | Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder that substantially impairs patients’ quality of life. Psychological factors may influence the severity of IBS symptoms and treatment outcomes. Alexithymia is a transdiagnostic factor associated with various psychopathologies and is linked to poorer psychotherapy outcomes and a weaker therapeutic alliance. Perfectionism and maladaptive defense styles may contribute to alexithymia, but their role in IBS remains underexplored. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the associations among perfectionism, defense styles, and alexithymia in patients with IBS. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study included patients with IBS referred to Razi Hospital in Rasht, Iran, in 2023. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 244 participants were enrolled. Data were collected using Frost's Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, the Defense Style Questionnaire, and the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to assess the relationships among these variables. Results: Ordinal logistic regression showed that higher levels of perfectionism (OR = 1.021; P = 0.011; 95% CI, 1.005 - 1.037) and an immature defense style (OR = 1.037; P < 0.001; 95% CI, 1.022 - 1.053) significantly predicted higher odds of alexithymia. Compared with office-based employees, self-employed individuals (OR = 0.362; P = 0.008; 95% CI, 0.172 - 0.763) and unemployed participants, including students and housewives (OR = 0.426; P = 0.020; 95% CI, 0.208 - 0.872), had significantly lower odds of alexithymia. Conclusions: These findings indicate significant associations among perfectionism, maladaptive defense styles, and alexithymia in patients with IBS. Although these associations suggest that psychological factors may contribute to the clinical profile of IBS, the cross-sectional design precludes causal inference. Nevertheless, these findings may inform future research on psychiatric interventions targeting perfectionism and defense mechanisms as potential pathways for reducing alexithymia. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/ijpbs-160220 | en |
| URI | https://brieflands.com/journals/ijpbs/articles/160220 | en |
| Keyword | Irritable Bowel Syndrome | en |
| Keyword | Perfectionism | en |
| Keyword | Defense Mechanisms | en |
| Keyword | Alexithymia | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Alexithymia in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Association with Perfectionism and Defense Styles in a Cross-sectional Study | en |
| Type | Research Article | en |
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