The Mediating Role of Alexithymia in the Relationship between Cognitive Flexibility with Quality of Life and Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder of Patients with Psoriasis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.Sc student in Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Medical Sciences and Technologies Faculty, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Corresponding Author, Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran.

10.22075/jcp.2025.36277.3080

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of the present study was to investigate mediating role of alexithymia in the relationship between cognitive flexibility with quality of life and obsessive–compulsive disorder of patients with psoriasis. This was descriptive-correlation research.
Method: The statistical population of the study was patients with psoriasis of Tehran city in year 2024. The sample size was selected based on Klein's model (2023) and with subjectivw sampling of 200 patients with psoriasis. Data collection tools include the dermatology life quality index (DLQI) of Finlay & Khan (1994), the Maudsley obsessive–compulsive inventory (MOCI) of Hodgson and Rachman (1977), cognitive flexibility inventory (CFI) of Dennis and Vander Wal (2010) and Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS) of Bagby and et al (1994). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and structural equations modeling.
Results: The results showed direct effect of cognitive flexibility on quality of life (β= - 0.84 and sig=0.001) and obsessive–compulsive disorder (β= - 0.73). Also, the final research model had a good fit (RMSEA=0.03, p<0.05) and 98% of the variance of obsessive–compulsive disorder and 99% of the variance of quality of life is explained by cognitive flexibility with mediating role of alexithymia.
Discussion and conclusion: According to the findings of this research and the role of cognitive flexibility and alexithymia, the use of emotion regulation training and acceptance and commitment therapy, to improve the quality of life and obsessive–compulsive disorder of patients with psoriasis.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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  • Receive Date: 03 January 2025
  • Revise Date: 03 June 2025
  • Accept Date: 06 June 2025

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