Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the interrelationship between chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), psychological
co-morbidity, posttraumatic stress, repression and alexithymia. 89 participants with CIU and 105 without CIU responded to
an online questionnaire. Both groups completed the General Health Questionnaire-12, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Posttraumatic
Stress Diagnostic Scale and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 and were categorised into four defence mechanism groups (repressive,
defensive, high-anxious, low-anxious). CIU participants also completed the Skindex-17 and a self-report severity measure.
CIU participants reported higher levels of alexithymia than the control group and their defence mechanism was most likely
to be categorised as defensive, with conscious self-image management reported alongside high manifest anxiety. Partial least
squares analysis revealed significant paths between posttraumatic stress and CIU severity and psychological co-morbidity.
Posttraumatic stress was associated with alexithymia and type of defence mechanism. Only being in the high-anxious group partially
mediated the relationship between posttraumatic stress and CIU severity. In conclusion, there is evidence for a relationship
between CIU and trauma. The severity of posttraumatic symptoms varies depending upon alexithymic traits and defence mechanisms
used. Disease severity and psychological co-morbidity are differentially influenced by the relationships between trauma, alexithymic
traits and defence mechanisms.
co-morbidity, posttraumatic stress, repression and alexithymia. 89 participants with CIU and 105 without CIU responded to
an online questionnaire. Both groups completed the General Health Questionnaire-12, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Posttraumatic
Stress Diagnostic Scale and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 and were categorised into four defence mechanism groups (repressive,
defensive, high-anxious, low-anxious). CIU participants also completed the Skindex-17 and a self-report severity measure.
CIU participants reported higher levels of alexithymia than the control group and their defence mechanism was most likely
to be categorised as defensive, with conscious self-image management reported alongside high manifest anxiety. Partial least
squares analysis revealed significant paths between posttraumatic stress and CIU severity and psychological co-morbidity.
Posttraumatic stress was associated with alexithymia and type of defence mechanism. Only being in the high-anxious group partially
mediated the relationship between posttraumatic stress and CIU severity. In conclusion, there is evidence for a relationship
between CIU and trauma. The severity of posttraumatic symptoms varies depending upon alexithymic traits and defence mechanisms
used. Disease severity and psychological co-morbidity are differentially influenced by the relationships between trauma, alexithymic
traits and defence mechanisms.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-17
- DOI 10.1007/s11126-012-9213-7
- Authors
- Victoria Hunkin, Acute Trust Clinical Health Psychology Service, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR16 4SA, UK
- Man Cheung Chung, Department of Natural Science and Public Health, Zayed University, P.O. Box 144534, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Journal Psychiatric Quarterly
- Online ISSN 1573-6709
- Print ISSN 0033-2720