Mediating Role of Alexithymia on the Relationship Between Attachment Styles and Sexual Functioning

The aim of this study was to examine mediation effect of alexithymia on the relationship between attachment styles with sexual function in a sample of Iranian women. A total of 112 volunteers were included in this study. All participants were asked to complete Adult Attachment Inventory (AAI), Female Sexual Function Index and Farsi version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (FTAS-20). Analysis of the data involved both descriptive and inferential statistics including means, standard deviations, person’s correlation coefficients and path analysis. Secure attachment style showed a significant positive association with female sexual function, while avoidant and ambivalent attachment styles showed significant negative associations with female sexual function. Alexithymia had a significant negative association with female sexual function. path analysis revealed that Alexithymia mediated the relationship between attachment styles and female sexual function. This study showed that alexithymia mediates the relationships between attachment styles and female sexual function. The findings are discussed from attachment and affect regulation.