Role of Neuro-behavioral Systems and Sensitivity Sensory Processing in Alexithymia

The present study aimed to predict alexithymia based on BAS/BIS activity and sensitivity sensory processing. Using random stratified sampling, 400 people (183 male and 217 female) were selected. They were assessed by BAS/BIS questionnaire (carver & White, 1994), The Higly Sensitivity Sensory Processing Scale (HSPS) (Aron & Aron, 1997), and Persian version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (Bagby, Parker, & Taylor, 1994). Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise regression analysis. The finding demonstrated that there were significant positive relationships between alexithymia and sensitivity sensory processing, low sensory threshold and ease of exicitation, and behavioral activation system. Alexithymia had negative significant relationships with aesthetic sensitivity and behavioral inhibition system (P<.01). It was found that Ease of excitation, low sensory threshold and BAS explained 76% of the variance of alexithymia. The findings emphasize the need to recognize the role of BAS/BIS activity and sensitivity sensory processing in predicting students’ alexithymia.