Vairy, Matilda (2023) Investigating the Mediating Effects of Alexithymia in the Relationship Between Trauma and Social Problem Solving in Adolescents. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the effects of trauma causing significant impacts on their development. Increased exposure to traumatic events may lead to deficiencies in cognitive processes such as social problem-solving skills as well as difficulty regulating emotions. There is no research to date showing an impact between trauma and social problem solving with alexithymia mediating this relationship. The aim of the current research will explore whether alexithymia mediates the relationship between trauma and social problem solving. 497 adolescents (262 Males, 186 Females, 35 Non-Binary, 11 Gender Fluid and 3 did not to answer) completed an online survey comprised of the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS) to assess trauma, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale- 20 (TAS-20) to assess for alexithymia and Social Problem-Solving Inventory Revised, short form (SPSI-R) Short Form to assess social problem-solving skills, through Likert scale responses. SPSS Hayes PROCESS determined impacts between trauma, social problem solving and alexithymia. The study was supported by previous research of correlations between trauma, social problem solving and alexithymia. Alexithymia was found to significantly and partially mediate between trauma and impaired social problem solving. It is recommended that clinicians treating adolescents with alexithymia have an understanding how trauma might trigger this and how it leads to impaired social problem solving and explore the role of each of these factors further. This will allow the clinician to have a deeper understanding of their client’s difficulties to provide effective treatment. This study also discussed strengths and weaknesses and applications of the results.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Wellbeing (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Zahra Izadikha; Chris Watling; Yong Goh |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 07 Aug 2025 01:34 |
| Last Modified: | 07 Aug 2025 01:34 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Trauma, Alexithymia, Social Problem-Solving, Adolescents, Mediate |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52838 |
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