---

This briefs reviews the literature on alexithymia with a particular focus on the relation between positive well-being and alexithymia. It starts by exploring the definition, history and etiology of the construct. The briefs then discusses the importance of research and presents new research which sheds light on why alexithymia is characterized by poor well-being. The research strongly suggests that people who score high in alexithymia are low in aspects of positive well-being such as happiness, life satisfaction, and positive affect, and high in aspects of negative well-being, such as depression and negative affect. Next, the book examines the correlates of alexithymia and the latter´s relation with personality and subjective well-being. Although there has been an increased interest in human flourishing, and even though research in positive psychology has included personality, there has been little application of positive psychology to people with deficits in emotional processing including people with alexithymia. This briefs fills that gap.

---

Chapter 1. Definition of Alexithymia.- Chapter 2. The History of the Construct and the Etiology of Alexithymia.- Chapter 3. The Importance of Research on Alexithymia.- Chapter 4. Measurement of Alexithymia.- Chapter 5. Recommendations for Measurement.- Chapter 6. Correlates of Alexithmia.- Chapter 7. Alexithymia and Personality.- Chapter 8. Alexithymia and Subjective Well-Being.- Chapter 9. Summary and Recommendations for Future Research._

---

From the reviews:
"Timoney and Holder have succeeded in including a substantial amount of research on alexithymia and squeezing it into their book ... . The strength of the book is that it cites a large number of studies on different topics in the alexithymia literature. Indeed, each chapter, and section within each chapter, is largely a litany of research studies. ... is best suited to the scholar or student who is interested in alexithymia and seeking a quick and accessible review of any given topic ... ." (Mark A. Lumley and Matthew J. Jasinski, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 59 (4), January, 2014)

---