Alexithymia Symptoms Are Not Associated With Childhood Trauma or CRHR1 rs110402 Genotype

Authors

Emily Wiatr, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Grace Sullivan, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Scott Stoltenberg, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

4-2020

Document Type

Article

Citation

Poster presentation, Spring Research Fair, 2020, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Comments

Copyright 2020 by the authors.

Abstract

Alexithymia is associated with difficulties in emotional self-regulation, and alexithymia is specifically associated with an absence of emotional experience and cognition of emotion. Past research has indicated a potential association between alexithymia and the CRHR1 gene . Situational factors may also impact the expression of the CRHR1 gene within an individual. Berenbaum (1996) found associations between PTSD/childhood trauma and alexithymia. This study examined these associations using the Online Alexithymia Questionnaire-G2 (OAQ-G2) as well as DNA samples gathered from 657 participants at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (72% women; 78.6% white; mean age= 20.34; standard deviation of 2.6). It was hypothesized that possessing at least one G allele of rs110402, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), which has previously been associated with higher scores on the alexithymia questionnaire would result in higher scores on the alexithymia questionnaire. It was further hypothesized that when the risk allele is present, a history of childhood trauma would be association with a higher score on the alexithymia questionnaire. No association was found between any of the variables within the population. Future research into other potential biological association could lead to a better understanding of the origins of alexithymia.