The Role of Alexithymia and Demographic Factors in Prediction of Family Functioning and Academic Achievement in the Children of the Couples Referred to Counseling and Psychotherapy Centers

J. Jarareh, Ph D

E. Rahimian Boogar, Ph D

F. Hosseini, M. A.

Alexithymia and demographic factors play an important role in human relationships especially in family relations. The present study aimed at examining the predictive role of alexithymia and demographic factors in the family functioning of couples referred to counseling and psychotherapy centers. In addition, the educational achievement of the children of these couples was studied. In a cross-sectional descriptive design, 133 participants (42 men and 91 women) were selected from among clients of counseling and psychotherapy centers of Tehran through convenience sampling. The instrumentation consisted of a demographic questionnaire, Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), and Family Assessment Device (FAD). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that there was a significant negative relationship between alexithymia, family functioning, and educational achievement. Furthermore, there was a significant positive relationship between education level, family functioning, and educational achievement. In addition, alexithymia and education level could meaningfully predict family functioning and educational achievement and totally explained 25% of the variance in family functioning. However, gender and age could not predict the family functioning and educational achievement. Therefore, alexithymia and low education level resulted in negative family functioning and low and educational achievement. Alexithymia identification and intervention as well as therapeutic programs tailored with education level of the couples are imperative for improvement of familial functioning and educational achievement of children.

Keywords: alexithymia, family functioning, couples, demographic factors, educational achievement of children