Description

The Alexithymia Questionnaire for Children [AQC-20] is a psychological assessment tool designed to measure alexithymia in children. Alexithymia refers to difficulty in identifying and describing one’s own emotions, and it can affect emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships. This questionnaire is used to evaluate how well children can recognize, understand, and express their emotional states.
Scope: The AQC-20 assesses various aspects of alexithymia, including difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings to others, and externally oriented thinking.
Format: The questionnaire typically consists of 20 items that are answered by children or their caregivers, using a Likert scale to gauge the intensity or frequency of symptoms.

Data Analysis and Usage

Data analysis for the AQC-20 involves:
Scoring: Each item is scored based on the child’s responses, usually on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Higher scores indicate greater difficulty with emotional awareness and expression.
Interpretation: Scores are analyzed to identify patterns of alexithymia and determine the child’s level of difficulty in processing and expressing emotions. This can help in understanding the child’s emotional and psychological needs.
Application: Results can be used by clinicians, counselors, and educators to develop targeted interventions and support strategies to help children improve their emotional awareness and expression.

Objective

The primary objectives of the Alexithymia Questionnaire for Children [AQC-20] are:
Assessment of Alexithymia: To evaluate the degree of alexithymia in children, including their ability to identify and describe their own emotions.
Understanding Emotional Functioning: To explore how alexithymia affects a child’s emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships.
Intervention Planning: To guide the development of interventions aimed at improving emotional awareness and expression in children who exhibit signs of alexithymia.

Calibration

The calibration of the AQC-20 includes:
Scoring System: Each response is assigned a numerical value, and total scores are calculated to assess the level of alexithymia.
Reliability and Validity: Statistical analyses are conducted to ensure the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. Normative data may be used to compare individual scores with those of a representative sample.
Normative Data: Scores are interpreted in relation to normative data to determine how a child’s responses compare with those of other children in similar age groups.

Bibliography

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.
Taylor, G. J., & Bagby, R. M. (2000). The role of alexithymia in psychiatric disorders: A review of the literature. In A. P. T. V. & B. M. K. (Eds.), Handbook of Psychopathology (pp. 145-163). Academic Press.
Sifneos, P. E. (1973). The prevalence of alexithymia in psychosomatic patients. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 22(1), 255-262.
Leavitt, R. I., & Parker, J. D. (1997). Alexithymia in children and adolescents: A review of research and clinical findings. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2(3), 405-417.
Kohen, D., & Taylor, G. J. (2009). Assessment of alexithymia in children and adolescents: A review. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinics of North America, 18(3), 457-471.