Prevalence of Alexithymia and Associated Factors Among Dental Students in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

• Published in: Healthcare (Basel) 2024-11, Vol.12 (21), p.2193
• Main Authors: Hamdan, Hebah M, Alislimah, Ghaida, Alshalawi, Hessa, Alharbi, Khawlah, Alsaif, Mohammed I, Sulimany, Ayman M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Academic achievement; Alexithymia; Child abuse & neglect; Chronic illnesses; College students; Cross-sectional studies; Demographic aspects; Dental students; Diagnosis; Early intervention; Eating disorders; Emotions; Exercise; Family income; Health aspects; Health education; Marital status; Medical students; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Mental health; Personality; Questionnaires; Risk factors; Sample size; Sociodemographics; Stress; Undergraduate students; University students; Variables; Well being
• ISSN: 2227-9032; 2227-9032
• DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12212193

Mental health challenges among university students are pervasive, with alexithymia posing a particularly significant yet understudied challenge. This condition significantly affects an individual's ability to cope with stress due to difficulties in recognizing, describing, and processing emotions. This study aims to evaluate alexithymia prevalence and its associated factors among dental undergraduate students and interns enrolled at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through a self-administered online survey that assessed alexithymia symptoms (using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale [TAS-20]), sociodemographic profiles, lifestyle-related factors, and health-related factors. The associations between participant factors and alexithymia were assessed using chi-square and multiple logistic regression analyses. Of the 421 eligible participants, 369 completed the survey (87.6% response rate), revealing a significant prevalence of alexithymia (37.9%). Female gender (AOR = 1.7, = 0.04), depression (AOR = 5.6, < 0.0001), chronic diseases (AOR = 3.5, = 0.003), and childhood abuse (AOR = 2.2, = 0.047) were independent factors significantly associated with alexithymia. These findings highlight the pressing need for mental health support within dental education. Early interventions targeting alexithymia could mitigate its adverse consequences, promoting better student well-being and academic success.