Abstract
Alexithymia is perceived as a personality trait characterized by impairments in individuals' ability to identify and describe feelings (Taylor, Bagby, & Parker,
1997
). Research has found links between alexithymia and deficiencies in the ability to grow and maintain close relationships. Three hypotheses and one research question tested (H1) an inverse relationship between relational uncertainty and self-disclosure; (H2) a direct relationship between alexithymia and relational uncertainty; (H3) an inverse relationship between alexithymia and self-disclosure; and (RQ1) an interaction between alexithymia and relational uncertainty to predict self-disclosure. Results indicate partial support for the inverse relationship between self-disclosure and both relational uncertainty and alexithymia. Results also showed support for a direct relationship between alexithymia and relational uncertainty. Alexithymia and relational uncertainty interacted to predict levels of intended self-disclosure. The inverse relationship between relational uncertainty and intended self-disclosure was stronger for low rather than high alexithymics. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.