The Bridge Between Childhood Trauma and Alexithymia Among Adolescents with Depressive and Bipolar Disorders: A Network Bridge Analysis

Childhood trauma and alexithymia are significant risk factors for adolescent mental health issues. Prior research has linked these factors to psychopathology, but the complexities of their interrelation remain underexplored. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between various forms of childhood trauma and alexithymia in adolescents with depressive and bipolar disorders. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and network analysis were utilized on data from 2343 Chinese adolescents (aged 12–18 years, 77.93% female) diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder. Measures included the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). SEM demonstrated a significant correlation between childhood trauma and alexithymia. Network analysis identified emotional abuse and difficulty identifying feelings as central nodes. Emotional abuse emerged as a key factor for difficulty in emotional identification among adolescents. This study highlights the need for early intervention and the importance of emotional nurturing in childhood to prevent long-term socioemotional difficulties.