Psychol Bull November 2023 PMID 37261746

Child maltreatment and alexithymia: A meta-analytic review.

Julia Ditzer, Eileen Y Wong, Rhea N Modi, Maciej Behnke, James J Gross, Anat Talmon

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Mentions

131

Peak: 5 in Jun 2023

across 6 sources since May 2023

Extended reach

2,306,934

potential audience

Total likes

46,674

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1,695,944

Mentions per month

May 2023 – Nov 2025

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

Many discussions highlight the connection between childhood emotional abuse and adult emotional dysregulation, often using words like 'strongly connected' and phrases such as 'important implications' to underscore the significance of the research. The tone is collaborative and curious, reflecting widespread recognition of the study's relevance in mental health fields.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions recognize the findings of the meta-analysis, emphasizing the link between child maltreatment and adult alexithymia, indicating general support.

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate high interest, with mentions of the study's implications, relevant terminology like 'emotional abuse,' and references to therapeutic models.

EngagementModerate engagement

The discussions show moderate engagement, with some posts referencing specific data points and therapeutic models, but lacking deep analysis.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest the findings could influence understanding and treatment of trauma, though the overall tone indicates acknowledgment rather than revolutionary change.

Abstract in brief

Alexithymia is a condition where individuals struggle to recognize and express their emotions, and is emerging as a significant risk factor for various psychological issues.
A meta-analysis of 99 studies involving over 36,000 participants revealed a positive correlation between experiences of child maltreatment and levels of adult alexithymia, with emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect being the strongest predictors.
The findings highlight how different forms of early trauma can influence emotional awareness and expression later in life, emphasizing the importance of understanding these connections for mental health interventions.

Read the full abstract

All mentions

Understanding the Impact of Childhood Maltreatment on Emotional Awareness

Alexithymia is a condition where individuals struggle to recognize and express their emotions. A meta-analysis of 99 studies reveals a strong link between childhood maltreatment, especially emotional and physical…

Kok Bisa? · Oct 27, 2024 1,604,277 views

Understanding the Role of Child Maltreatment in Developing Emotional Awareness

Psicologia dos Animes · Jun 3, 2024 91,667 views

Laurence DAVID

@margotton91 · X

Ditzer, J., Wong, E. Y., Modi, R. N., Behnke, M., Gross, J. J., & Talmon, A. (2023). Child maltreatment and alexithymia: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 149(5–6), 311–329. - Kinnaird, E., Stewart, C., & Tchanturia, K. (2019). Investigating alexithymia in autism:

Nov 6, 2025 · 127 followers View post →

Imad

@Imade_kun · X

Apa Rasanya Hidup Tanpa Emosi? https://t.co/tNQbcbCP7m

Oct 29, 2024 · 923 followers View post →

Agen Ayu

@nowhiringagents · X

Pak Ben ref https://t.co/s1VRxMIe8H

Oct 27, 2024 · 295 followers View post →

Maria Isa | #DankeSeb

@IsabelMiaa · X

https://t.co/VITg0T9Ge5

Jun 5, 2024 · 1 like · 1,064 followers View post →

Maria Bogdanos

@MariaBogdanos · X

Child maltreatment and alexithymia: A meta-analytic review. https://t.co/TnDhdNmMB4

Mar 6, 2024 · 1 like · 598 followers View post →

Fiona O'Neill

@Fi_Contextual · X

RT @DrTimCavell: Child maltreatment and alexithymia: A meta-analytic review. https://t.co/UKqub5VdrG "Using correlation coefficients as o…

Oct 4, 2023 · 1 share · 4,690 followers View post →

Dr. Tim Cavell (he/him)

@DrTimCavell · X

Child maltreatment and alexithymia: A meta-analytic review. https://t.co/UKqub5VdrG "Using correlation coefficients as our effect size index, we found that child maltreatment was positively related to overall adult alexithymia (r = .23 [.19, .27]).

Oct 4, 2023 · 1 share · 3,683 followers View post →

Dr. Michael Hase

@drmihase · X

Belastende Kindheitserfahrung ist stark mit Alexithymie im Erwachsenenalter verbunden.(Ditzer et al. 2023; doi: 10.1037/bul0000391). Wenn wir das AIP Modell der EMDR Therapie nutzen, dann gewinnen wir Handlungsoptionen und können kausal wirksam therapieren.

Aug 26, 2023 · 16 followers View post →

Jesus Ramirez-Bermudez

@JRBneuropsiq · X

RT @leoschilbach: Child maltreatment and alexithymia: A meta-analytic review https://t.co/yhSOQSowJg

Jul 2, 2023 · 3 shares · 31,354 followers View post →

Sander Koole

@SLKoole · X

RT @leoschilbach: Child maltreatment and alexithymia: A meta-analytic review https://t.co/yhSOQSowJg

Jul 2, 2023 · 3 shares · 2,238 followers View post →

Leonhard Schilbach

@leoschilbach · X

RT @leoschilbach: Child maltreatment and alexithymia: A meta-analytic review https://t.co/yhSOQSowJg

Jul 2, 2023 · 3 shares · 6,739 followers View post →

Leonhard Schilbach

@leoschilbach · X

Child maltreatment and alexithymia: A meta-analytic review https://t.co/yhSOQSowJg

Jul 2, 2023 · 16 likes · 3 shares · 6,739 followers View post →

Canadian Consortium on Child & Youth Trauma

@CCCYT_CCTEA · X

This recent meta-analysis found that childhood emotional abuse and neglect are correlated with adult alexithymia: Child Maltreatment and Alexithymia: A Meta-Analytic Review. https://t.co/HBceFDpXIq. #alexithymia #child #childhood #maltreatment #emotionalabuse #neglect

Jun 14, 2023 · 461 followers View post →

Agingdoc

@agingdoc1 · X

Child Maltreatment and Alexithymia: A Meta-Analytic Review https://t.co/vUmYfbeSEn

Jun 6, 2023 · 42,375 followers View post →

Spinoza-Den Haag

@conatus1632 · X

RT @NeuroscienceNew: “Child Maltreatment and Alexithymia: A Meta-Analytic Review” by Anat Talmon et al. Psychological Bulletin https://t.c…

Jun 6, 2023 · 2 shares · 1,580 followers View post →

Neuroscience News

@NeuroscienceNew · X

“Child Maltreatment and Alexithymia: A Meta-Analytic Review” by Anat Talmon et al. Psychological Bulletin https://t.co/dcO5oAniFK 3/3

Jun 6, 2023 · 14 likes · 2 shares · 507,044 followers View post →

Maciej Behnke

@BehnkeMaciej · X

https://t.co/H1JaS05WzM and OMG it is published in Psychological Bulletin @APA_Journals

Jun 2, 2023 · 2 likes · 679 followers View post →

Child and Family Mental Health Lab

@zietlow_lab · X

May 8, 2023 · 7 likes · 350 followers View post →

Child maltreatment and alexithymia: A meta-analytic review.

Mentions per month

Where it's discussed

What people are saying

Abstract in brief

Top posts

All mentions

Understanding the Impact of Childhood Maltreatment on Emotional Awareness

Understanding the Role of Child Maltreatment in Developing Emotional Awareness