The mediating role of alexithymia in the relationship between neuroticism and symptoms of depression in university students

Aim and Neuroticism is assumed to be a predisposing factor for depressive conditions. Yet, the mechanisms of this vulnerability is not well known. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating effect of alexithymia on the relationship between neuroticism and depressive symptoms in university students.Methods and Materials: The present study was descriptive-correlational. The target population was students of Tehran University studying in educational year 1391-1392. 72 females and 78 males were selected as the sample by availability method of sampling. They completed the Neuroticism subscale of NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Data were analyzed by using path analysis with SPSS 18 and LISREL 8.5. The results indicated that difficulty describing feelings (direct effect = 0.60, indirect effect = 0.14, P < 0.05) and difficulty identifying feelings (direct effect = 0.37, indirect effect = 0.32, P < 0.05) were the mediating factor in the relationship between neuroticism and depressive symptoms. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that neuroticism influences depressive symptoms through the influence of individual abilities in processing and regulating emotional information. These results may be useful in the development of educational and treatment programs for emotion management and overcoming depression.