Alexithymia, Social Anhedonia, and Empathy among Client with Schizophrenia: Mediation Model

Abstract

: Background and Aim: According to earlier studies, schizophrenia is often characterized by social withdrawal and a lack of emotional connection. Alexithymia, and social anhedonia significantly impacts the quality of life for individuals with schizophrenia. If empathy is indeed a mediator between alexithymia, and social anhedonia, then it becomes a potential target for therapeutic interventions. Training programs or treatments designed to enhance empathy could have a significant impact on the social functioning of individuals with schizophrenia. However, limited researches have explored this mediation role of empathy in relationship between alexithymia and social anhedonia among individuals with schizophrenia. So, this study aimed to investigate the mediating role of empathy in relationship between alexithymia and social anhedonia among individuals with schizophrenia . Subjects& Methods : A descriptive correlational analytical design was used. on 170 randomly chosen participants who met the selection criteria. Four tools were used for data collection (Socio-demographic and clinical data, Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), and Social Anhedonia Scale (RSAS). Results, Conclusion &Recommendations: The present study revealed a significant positive correlation between alexithymia and social anhedonia. However, empathy was negatively associated with both alexithymia and social anhedonia. The results also provided evidence for a partial mediation effect of empathy in the relationship between social anhedonia and alexithymia. This could be a stepping stone for developing more comprehensive treatment plans not only improve social engagement but also foster empathy through enhanced emotional awareness and expression, ultimately leading to better social functioning. This study suggests that mental health nurses (MHNs) should prioritize assessing empathy, social anhedonia, and alexithymia in patients with schizophrenia. Also, psychiatric and mental health nurses should focus on training patients with schizophrenia to identify emotions, regulate them, and improve communication/social interaction to enhance empathy and reduce the impact of alexithymia on social anhedonia. Moreover, building a strong relationship is crucial to provide effective psychoeducation for patients and families on the importance of empathy in social interactions.