Table 1 Factor loadings, Cronbach's α Coefficients, and Inter-factor correlations of the Questionnaire to Assess Alexithymia for Adolescents (QAAA) by exploratory factor analysis

Difficulty Identifying Feelings (DIF; α = .79)

   When I am upset, I don't know whether I am sad, frightened, or angry.

   I am often confused about sensations in my body.

   I often don't know why I am angry.

   I have physical sensations that even doctors don't understand.

Externally-Oriented Thinking (EOT; α = .75)

   I learn much about myself on the basis of my feelings. (R) (23)

   It is important to be aware of one's own feeling and to understand what feeling it is. (R)

   I find examining my feelings useful in solving personal problems. (R)

   When I am at loss as to how to behave, I often rely on my feelings to help guide my actions. (R) (15)

Constricted imaginal Capacities (CIC; α = .73)

   I can become absorbed and imagine some things in the same way as I experience a good movie or story. (R) (24)

   I become absorbed in thinking about the characters in novels or movies. (R) (16)

   I think I have much imagination. (R) (4)

Difficulty Describing Feelings (DDF; α = .67)

   It is difficult for me to reveal my innermost feelings, even to close friends.

   It is difficult for me to find the right words for my feelings.