The Level of Alexithymia Among Saudi Universities Students In the Light of Some Variables

Abstract

The current study aimed to identify the level of alexithymia among Saudi university students and to examine the differences in this level based on gender (male/female), academic track (humanities/science/health/administration), birth order (first, second, third, fourth, fifth or higher), and geographical region (central/north/south/east/west). The sample consisted of 505 students, including 103 males and 402 females in the bachelor's program at public universities. The Bermond and Forsyth Alexithymia Questionnaire (BVAQ) was used. The results showed that the level of alexithymia was moderate among most students and high among a smaller number. The study found differences in alexithymia levels between males and females, males were higher than female. As well as There are differences according to the field of study between students in the humanities and those in the sciences, students in the sciences were higher than those in the humanities. Additionally, there were differences in alexithymia levels based on birth order, with first and third-born students showing higher levels. Finally, no differences in alexithymia levels were found based on geographical region.