Is Normative Male Alexithymia Associated with Relationship Satisfaction, Fear of Intimacy and Communication Quality among Men in Relationships

Bibliographic Data

ID12412904
AuthorsEmily N Karakis (University of Akron, corresponding author), Ronald F Levant (0000-0001-6153-7803, University of Akron)
Year2012
Volume20
Issue3
Pages179-186
Publication date2012-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Journal of Men s Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1060-8265 • E-ISSN: 1933-0251
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.3149/jms.2003.179
OpenAlexW2317061800
LanguageEN
Citations received11
References cited10

This study investigated the relationships between Normative Male Alexithymia (NMA), Relationship Satisfaction, Fear of Intimacy, and Communication Quality among men in relationships. NMA is the inability of men to put emotions into words posited to result from traditional masculine role socialization, and reflected in the endorsement of and conformity to traditional masculine norms (Levant et al, 2006). Previous research has found a moderate, negative relationship between alexithymia and relationship satisfaction (Humphreys, Wood, & Parker, 2009). It was hypothesized that NMA would negatively correlate with Relationship Satisfaction and Communication Quality but would positively correlate with Fear of Intimacy. A sample of 175 men from university and community sources volunteered for the study. All three hypotheses were supported by the findings. These findings set the stage for future explorations into the effects of the results of masculine gender role socialization, such as Normative Male Alexithymia, on romantic relationships

Alexithymia · Developmental psychology · Normative · Quality (philosophy · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · Psychology · Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments · Social Psychology

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