Emotional Processing Deficits and Happiness

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-vii

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2. Definition of Alexithymia

   • Linden R. Timoney, Mark D. Holder

   Pages 1-6

3. The History of the Construct and Etiology of Alexithymia

   • Linden R. Timoney, Mark D. Holder

   Pages 7-11

4. The Importance of Research on Alexithymia

   • Linden R. Timoney, Mark D. Holder

   Pages 13-15

5. Measurement of Alexithymia

   • Linden R. Timoney, Mark D. Holder

   Pages 17-33

6. Recommendations for Measurement

   • Linden R. Timoney, Mark D. Holder

   Pages 35-39

7. Correlates of Alexithymia

   • Linden R. Timoney, Mark D. Holder

   Pages 41-60

8. Alexithymia and Personality

   • Linden R. Timoney, Mark D. Holder

   Pages 61-68

9. Alexithymia and Subjective Well-Being

   • Linden R. Timoney, Mark D. Holder

   Pages 69-82

10. Summary and Recommendations for Future Research

    • Linden R. Timoney, Mark D. Holder

    Pages 83-88

11. Back Matter

    Pages 89-90

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This briefs reviews the literature on alexithymia with a particular focus on the relation between positive well-being and alexithymia. It starts by exploring the definition, history and etiology of the construct. The briefs then discusses the importance of research and presents new research which sheds light on why alexithymia is characterized by poor well-being. The research strongly suggests that people who score high in alexithymia are low in aspects of positive well-being such as happiness, life satisfaction, and positive affect, and high in aspects of negative well-being, such as depression and negative affect.  Next, the book examines the correlates of alexithymia and the latter’s relation with personality and subjective well-being. Although there has been an increased interest in human flourishing, and even though research in positive psychology has included personality, there has been little application of positive psychology to people with deficits in emotional processing including people with alexithymia. This briefs fills that gap.  ​

• Alexithymia and Personality
• Alexithymia and Subjective Well-Being
• Approaches the Treatment of Alexithymia
• Assessment of Alexithymia
• Definitions of Alexithymia
• Emotional Processing Disorders
• Etiology of Alexithymia
• Future Research on Alexithymia
• Measurement of Alexithymia
• Personality and Alexithymia
• Positive Psychology and Alexithymia

From the reviews:

“Timoney and Holder have succeeded in including a substantial amount of research on alexithymia and squeezing it into their book … . The strength of the book is that it cites a large number of studies on different topics in the alexithymia literature. Indeed, each chapter, and section within each chapter, is largely a litany of research studies. … is best suited to the scholar or student who is interested in alexithymia and seeking a quick and accessible review of any given topic … .” (Mark A. Lumley and Matthew J. Jasinski, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 59 (4), January, 2014)

• Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, Canada

  Linden R. Timoney, Mark D. Holder

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