Turkish Adaptation, Validity, and Reliability Study of Shitsu-Taikan-Sho (Alexisomia) Scale

Background: The Shitsu-Taikan-Sho (Alexisomia) Scale is a self-report scale for measuring alexisomia, defined as the difficulty in awareness and expression of somatic emotions or feelings. The scale is available in Japanese and Finnish versions. This research aims to examine the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Shitsu-Taikan-Sho (Alexisomia) Scale.

Methods: The study sample consists of 320 patients who applied to the outpatient clinic of consultation- liaison psychiatry. Participants completed the Sociodemographic Information Form, the Turkish version of the Shitsu-Taikan-Sho (Alexisomia) Scale, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability were used for reliability analyses. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and co-validity analyses were used for validity analyses.

Results: According to the exploratory factor analysis results, a 3-factor, 18-item model for the Turkish version of the Shitsu-Taikan-Sho (Alexisomia) Scale explained 48.3% of the variance (Kaiser– Meyer–Olkin = 0.866; χ2 = 1535.3, P < .001). Confirmatory factor analysis results indicated a good fit (χ2=234.893; SD=132; χ2/SD=1.779; CFI=0.927; GFI=0.923; RMSEA=0.049). In the co-validity analysis, a significant correlation was found between Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 and Turkish version of the Shitsu-Taikan-Sho (Alexisomia) Scale (r=0.556, P < .001). Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.825 for the total score, 0.711 for lack of health management based on bodily emotions, 0.794 for difficulty in describing bodily emotions, and 0.775 for over adaptation. The interclass correlation coefficient between the 2 measures of Turkish version of the Shitsu-Taikan-Sho (Alexisomia) Scale was 0.883 (P < .001).

Conclusion: The Turkish adaptation of the Shitsu-Taikan-Sho (Alexisomia) Scale demonstrated adequate psychometric properties. It is an appropriate scale for evaluating the concept of alexisomia in the population of consultation-liaison psychiatry.

Cite this article as: Aksu MH, Baltacı NN, Ekmekçi Ertek İ, Coşar B. Turkish adaptation, validity, and reliability study of Shitsu-Taikan- Sho (Alexisomia) Scale. Psychiatry Clin Psychopharmacol. 2023;33(2):134-142.