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:: Volume 29, Issue 2 (Bimothly 2025) ::
Feyz Med Sci J 2025, 29(2): 167-174 Back to browse issues page
The causal relationship between alexithymia and quality of life in patients with chronic pain: the mediating role of pain intensity
Mohammad Reza Tamannaeifar * , Azam Mansourinik , Fereshteh Malekzadeh Kashani
Department of Psychology, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran & Department of Psychology, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran , tamannai@kashanu.ac.ir
Abstract:   (458 Views)
Background and Aim: Chronic pain is a prevalent condition that significantly affects physical health, psychological well-being, and quality of life. This study aimed to examine the causal relationship between alexithymia and quality of life, with pain intensity as a mediating variable, in patients with chronic pain.
Methods: The present study employed a structural equation modeling approach. The study population consisted of individuals aged 18 to 65 years with chronic pain who visited medical clinics in Kashan in 2022. From this population, 200 participants were selected through convenience sampling based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected using World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF, 1996), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20; Bagby et al., 1994), and the Pain Intensity Rating Scale (Van Korff, 1990). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS-AMOS 24 software.
Results: The proposed model demonstrated a good fit. The direct effect of alexithymia on quality of life was significant (β=-0.625, P<0.01), as were the direct effects of alexithymia on pain intensity (β=0.273, P<0.01) and pain intensity on quality of life (β=-0.147, P<0.05). Moreover, the indirect effect of alexithymia on quality of life through pain intensity was significant (β=-0.040, P<0.05).
Conclusion: Identifying the variables associated with chronic pain can inform targeted interventions aimed at improving patients' quality of life.
Keywords: Quality of life, Alexithymia, Pain intensity, Chronic pain
Full-Text [PDF 392 kb]   (81 Downloads)    
Type of Study: Research | Subject: General
Received: 2025/04/25 | Revised: 2025/07/7 | Accepted: 2025/05/12 | Published: 2025/07/1
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Tamannaeifar M R, Mansourinik A, Malekzadeh Kashani F. The causal relationship between alexithymia and quality of life in patients with chronic pain: the mediating role of pain intensity. Feyz Med Sci J 2025; 29 (2) :167-174
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Volume 29, Issue 2 (Bimothly 2025) Back to browse issues page
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