Alexithymia and Parental Bonding in Women with Genitopelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder

Abstract

Objective

The role of emotion regulation and alexithymia in the pathophysiology of genitopelvic pain/penetration disorder (GPPPD) is emphasized. Parental bonding is linked to emotion regulation and alexithymia. This study aimed to examine the relationships between parental bonding, alexithymia, and GPPPD.

Patients and Methods

Sixty-four patients with GPPPD were enrolled in the study, and 60 controls were matched for demographic features. Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) was used to evaluate alexithymia, the Bonding to Parents Scale (BPS) was used to assess parental bonding, and sexual functions were assessed via Golombok–Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS).

Results

The rate of alexithymic traits was statistically higher in the GPPPD group than in the controls ( p = 0.005). Patients with GPPPD obtained higher scores on the maternal care/control ( p = 0.003) and maternal overprotection ( p = 0.008) compared to controls. Difficulty describing feelings factor of alexithymia ( p = 0.012) emerged as a predictor of group membership (GPPPD vs controls). To test whether alexithymia was significantly associated with parental bonding, all subjects were divided into two subgroups, alexithymic and non-alexithymic. When the subgroups were compared in terms of parental attitudes, maternal ( p = 0.034) and paternal ( p = 0.006) overprotection subscale scores were higher in the alexithymic group than in the non-alexithymic group.

Discussion

According to the results, alexithymic traits are characteristic of patients with GPPPD; however, although patients with GPPPD may experience difficulties with perceived parental bonding, this factor does not appear to be a predictor of GPPPD.