The relationship between intimate partner violence and alexithymia in women of reproductive age and affecting variables: A cross-sectional study

Studies have shown that intimate partner violence has negative effects on women’s health. Understanding alexithymia and associated factors with depressive symptoms as a result of intimate partner violence may help develop screening strategies to identify at-risk women. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between intimate partner violence and alexithymia in women of reproductive age. In addition, the study aimed to identify the variables affecting this relationship. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 1493 married and literate women aged 15–49 years. "Introductory Information Form", "HITS Domestic Violence Screening Tool", and "The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20)" were used to collect the study data. The women had a mean score of 5.60 ± 2.59 on the HITS Domestic Violence Screening Tool and were determined to have low levels of violence, while they had a mean score of 52.51 ± 9.45 on The Toronto Alexithymia Scale and had moderate alexithymia. As the domestic violence levels of women increased, it was determined that they had difficulty in recognizing and verbalizing emotions, had externally oriented thinking styles, and accordingly their alexithymia levels increased. Age, type of marriage, years of marriage, occupation, educational status, spouse’s educational status, and income status were determined to be effective variables on intimate partner violence and alexithymia. Intimate partner violence is associated with higher alexithymia levels, and awareness-based interventions are recommended to reduce exposure to violence, which has many negative effects on women’s health.