Psychological Development and Education ›› 2021, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (1): 92-100.doi: 10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2021.01.12

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Alexithymia and Interpersonal Relationships among Middle School Students: A Moderated Mediation Model

XUE Lulu1, JIANG Yuan2, FANG Ping1   

  1. 1. School of Psychology, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100037;
    2. School of Psychology, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084
  • Published:2021-01-22

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Abstract: A total of 998 students from grades 7 to 11 were surveyed with the purpose of analyzing the internal mechanism of the relationship between alexithymia and interpersonal relationship of middle school students, in three middle schools in Beijing, Shijiazhuang and Jiamusi. The Middle School Student Interpersonal Relationship Scale, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Social Anxiety Scale and Perceived Social Support Scale were used and 218 pieces of information were obtained in accordance with the screening criteria of alexithymia. The results were as following:(1) Positive correlation was found between alexithymia and social anxiety, negative correlation between alexithymia and interpersonal relationship and social support. Interpersonal relationship was negatively correlated with social anxiety; however, positive correlation was found between interpersonal relationship and social support. As for social anxiety, it correlated negatively with social support; (2) Between alexithymia and middle school students' interpersonal relationship, social anxiety performed as a mediator and social support played the role of a moderator; (3) Social support moderated the first half of this path "alexithymia→social anxiety→middle school students' interpersonal relationship". Alexithymia influenced more on the social anxiety of the individuals with lower social support rather than on those who had high social support.

Key words: alexithymia, social anxiety, social support, middle school students, interpersonal relationships

CLC Number: 

  • B844
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