Investigating the Effect of Effective Emotion Regulation Strategies on Alexithymia with the Mediation of Self-Compassion

Abstract
The objective is to investigate the effect of emotion regulation strategies on Alexithymia and the mediating role of self-compassion.
 
This study adopts a descriptive and correlational research design. Among the statistical population comprising all undergraduate students in the first half of the year 2023 at Shahid Beheshti University, 384 individuals were selected using Cochran's formula calculations through the available sampling method. The research tools included the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (Gross and John, 2002), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (Begbe, Parker, and Taylor, 1994), and the Self-Compassion Scale (Neff, 2003). Structural equation modeling method and SPSS version 23, along with SmartPLS version 3 software, were employed for data analysis.
 
Emotion regulation strategies, including reappraisal and suppression, significantly and directly affect Alexithymia (p < 0.01, t > 2.58). Additionally, emotion regulation strategies significantly influence Alexithymia indirectly through self-compassion (p < 0.01, Z > 2.58), and ultimately, self-compassion significantly impacts Alexithymia (p < 0.01, t > 2.58).
 
Students who utilize more adaptive emotion regulation strategies exhibit higher levels of self-compassion and less concern regarding Alexithymia. Conversely, students who employ maladaptive emotion regulation strategies tend to exhibit lower levels of self-compassion and experience higher levels of Alexithymia. Therefore, fostering and reinforcing self-compassion among students can potentially enhance psychological functioning and social communication among individuals experiencing Alexithymia.