ANXIETY FACTOR IN ADOLESCENTS OF DIFFERENT POPULATION GROUPS OF SIBERIA WITH ALEXITHYMIA

Data on the relationship between anxiety and alexithymia in adolescents from different population groups in Siberia are scarce and fragmentary. Purpose.  To  study the factor of “anxiety” in adolescents of different population groups in Siberia with alexithymia, taking into account age and gender, ethnic origin and regional characteristics, and to establish relationships. Materials and methods. Interviewing adolescents aged 11-18 years using the Toronto Alexithymic Scale (TAS-26) and the “Reactive and Personal Anxiety Scale” by Ch.D. Spielberger – Yu.L. Hanina. Results. Among adolescents of different population groups in Siberia, the frequency of alexithymia in Khakass adolescents is 1.6 times higher in comparison with Caucasian adolescents of the Republic of Khakassia (RKh). Teenagers in Krasnoyarsk occupy an intermediate position. A characteristic sign of alexithymia in adolescents is a high level of anxiety, as evidenced by positive correlations between alexithymia and situational (r=0,47; p<0,001) and personal anxiety (r=0,56; p<0,001). Among all Caucasian adolescents with alexithymia, high situational anxiety is registered 2 times more often in Caucasian adolescents RKH. In terms of the development of a highly anxious alexithymic personality, girls are vulnerable, and by age - older teenagers. Conclusion. Identification of highly anxious alexithymic individuals among practically healthy adolescents is necessary for the timely implementation of preventive measures of a psychological, pedagogical and medical plan, which will reduce the risk of psychosomatic disorders and deviant behavior.