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Protocol - Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20)

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Description

The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) is a 20-item self-administered questionnaire that includes three subscales: difficulty identifying feelings (7 items-e.g., "I am often confused about what emotion I am feeling"), difficulty describing feelings (5 items-e.g., "It is difficult for me to reveal my innermost feelings, even to close friends"), and externally oriented thinking (8 items-e.g., "I prefer to analyze problems rather than just describe them"). Each item is scored on a 5-point, Likert-type scale (1 = strongly disagree; 5 = strongly agree), and five of the items are reverse-scored. Total scores can range from 20-100, with higher scores indicating greater impairment.

Specific Instructions

The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) is a proprietary instrument. Administration and use of the TAS-20 requires a licensing agreement from Dr. Graeme J. Taylor at the University of Toronto.

Availability

Limited Availability

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Protocol

Description of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20)

The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) is a 20-item, self-administered questionnaire that includes three subscales: difficulty identifying feelings (7 items-e.g., "I am often confused about what emotion I am feeling"), difficulty describing feelings (5 items-e.g., "It is difficult for me to reveal my innermost feelings, even to close friends"), and externally oriented thinking (8 items-e.g., "I prefer to analyze problems rather than just describe them"). Each item is scored on a 5-point, Likert-type scale (1 = strongly disagree; 5 = strongly agree), and five of the items are reverse-scored. Total scores can range from 20-100, with higher scores indicating greater impairment.

Personnel and Training Required

None

Equipment Needs

None

Requirements
Requirement CategoryRequired
Major equipment No
Specialized training No
Specialized requirements for biospecimen collection No
Average time of greater than 15 minutes in an unaffected individual No
Mode of Administration

Self-administered questionnaire

Lifestage

Adult

Participants

Adults, ages 18 and older

Selection Rationale

The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) is a brief, reliable, valid, and widely used self-administered questionnaire for assessing alexithymia.

Language

English, Other languages available at source

Standards
StandardNameIDSource
Human Phenotype Ontology Alexithymia HP:0031433 HPO
Derived Variables

None

Process and Review

Not applicable.

Protocol Name from Source

The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20)

Source

The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) is a proprietary instrument, and administration requires a licensing agreement from Dr. Graeme J. Taylor at the University of Toronto:

Dr. Graeme J. Taylor
104 Rosedale Heights Drive
Toronto
Ontario M4T 1C6
Canada
www.gtaylorpsychiatry.org/tas.htm

General References

Bagby, R. M., Ayearst, L. E., Morariu, R. A., Watters, C., & Taylor, G. J. (2014). The internet administration version of the 20-item Toronto alexithymia scale. Psychological Assessment, 26(1), 16-22.

Bagby, R. M., Parker, J. D., & Taylor, G. J. (1994). The twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale-I. Item selection and cross-validation of the factor structure. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 38(1), 23-32.

Bagby, R. M., Taylor, G. J., & Parker, J. D. (1994). The Twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale-II. Convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 38(1), 33-40.

Parker, J. D., Taylor, G. J., & Bagby, R. M (2003). The 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale: III. Reliability and factorial validity in a community population. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 55(3), 269-275.

Taylor, G. J., Bagby, R. M., & Parker, J. D. (2003). The 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale. IV. Reliability and factorial validity in different languages and cultures. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 55(3), 277-283.

Protocol ID

650901

Variables
Export Variables
Variable Name Variable IDVariable DescriptiondbGaP Mapping
PX650901010000 Protocol 650901 - proprietary. Check DCW for more
contact. show less
N/A
Eating Disorders
Measure Name

Emotional Awareness

Release Date

August 7, 2015

Definition

A questionnaire to assess alexithymia, a participant’s inability to identify and describe their own emotions.

Purpose

Alexithymia is associated with psychiatric conditions (e.g., autism, post-traumatic stress disorders, and eating disorders) and may influence a participant’s response to treatment.

Keywords

Eating disorders, alexithymia, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, TAS-20, emotion, emotional awareness, proprietary

Measure Protocols
Protocol ID Protocol Name
650901 Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20)
Publications

There are no publications listed for this protocol.