Review of APA Statistical Guidelines: "Predictive Value of Alexithymia: A Prospective Study in Somatizing Patients" The August 1999 article in the American Psychologist discusses proper statistical methods and how they should be utilized in journal articles. Using some of the guidelines put forth in the article, I will attempt to show the extent to which Bach & Bach (1995) follow these principles. The article in question investigates the role of alexithymia as a predictor of persistent somatization. The study was conducted over a two-year period with the consent of thirty patients exhibiting somatoform and anxiety disorders. The personality trait of alexithymia is a disorder in which a person shows an inability to express any emotion that they might be feeling. They also show a limited ability to express participation in fantasy experiences. Method Design It is not made clear exactly what kind of study the researchers are presenting. It is easy to assume, however, that the study is a test of a hypothesis. This made known by the statement of purpose at the end of the introduction. It is said that the purpose is to evaluate the differences in alexithymia scores between different patients over a two-year period and to determine if those scores predict outcome independent from other disorders. So the hypothesis being tested is that high alexithymia scores can predict long ter...