Investigating the Relationship Between Alexithymia and Mixed Emotions Across Development

Abstract

Adolescence is characterized by increased difficulties in emotional awareness and regulation, as well as an elevated risk for developing psychopathology. Prior studies show that the capacity to experience mixed emotions increases during this period, as does alexithymia (i.e., difficulty identifying and describing emotions). Although substantial research links alexithymia to poorer mental health during the transition to adolescence, we know little about the potential role of mixed emotions (i.e., the capacity to feel both positive and negative emotions simultaneously) in these relationships. We hypothesized that alexithymia will peak in adolescence, mixed emotions will increase across age, and higher levels of alexithymia will be associated with higher mixed emotion. Participants (N=163) aged 7 to 25 years completed a situational mixed emotions task where they reported their affect after playing a game designed to elicit mixed emotions. They also completed a questionnaire to assess their levels of alexithymia. Using correlation tests, multiple regression analysis, and generalized additive models, we tested relationships between age, alexithymia, and mixed emotions. We also explored whether the relationship between alexithymia and mixed emotions was moderated by age. We found a significant negative linear effect of age on alexithymia. Interestingly, our other analyses were not significant: age negatively influenced mixed emotions linearly at the trend level, alexithymia and mixed emotions were positively related linearly at the trend level, and age did not moderate this relationship. Our findings can help us better understand both normative and maladaptive emotion development, allowing us to better prevent and treat psychopathology onset in adolescence.