Alexithymia Profiles and Associated Factors Among Older Stroke Patients in China: A Latent Profile Analysis.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to identify latent profiles of alexithymia among older stroke patients and examine factors associated with profile membership.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 286 older stroke patients in a tertiary hospital in Jilin Province, China. Alexithymia was assessed using the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Latent profile analysis was performed to identify alexithymia profiles, and multinomial logistic regression was used to examine associated factors.

RESULTS

Three profiles were identified based on difficulty identifying feelings (DIF): low DIF (n = 51, 17.8%), moderate DIF (n = 142, 49.7%), and high DIF (n = 93, 32.5%). TAS-20 scores increased across profiles, with the greatest differences observed in DIF. DDF scores were relatively similar across profiles, while EOT did not show a progressive increase. Older age, lower educational attainment, greater chronic disease burden, poorer activities of daily living, and higher anxiety symptoms were associated with the high DIF profile.

CONCLUSIONS

Older stroke patients showed heterogeneous alexithymia profiles mainly characterized by increasing DIF. Profile-based assessment may provide clinically useful information beyond total alexithymia scores.

CLINICAL IMPLICATION: Early identification of alexithymia profiles may support targeted psychological assessment, rehabilitation planning, and caregiver support.