Preliminary Validation of The Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire-Short Parent Version (EDE-QS-P)

• Published in: Eating disorders 2023-11, Vol.31 (6), p.651-662
• Main Authors: Webster, Aiyana E., Zickgraf, Hana F., Gideon, Nicole, Mond, Jonathon M., Serpell, Lucy, Lane-Loney, Susan E., Essayli, Jamal H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anorexia; Anxiety disorders; Body image; Body image disturbances; Children; Children & youth; Convergent validity; Eating disorders; Generalized anxiety disorder; Healthy food; Help seeking behavior; Pathology; Patient communication; Questionnaires
• ISSN: 1064-0266; 1532-530X
• DOI: 10.1080/10640266.2023.2218675

Objective: There is a lack of reliable and valid parent-report measures assessing eating disorder (ED) pathology in children and adolescents. This study aimed to develop and provide preliminary validation of a new parent-report measure, the 12-item Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire-Short Parent Version (EDE-QS-P). Method: The EDE-QS-P was completed by 296 parents seeking treatment for their child at an ED clinic. Children (ages 6-18, N = 296) completed the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q), the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7), and the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Results: After removing item 10, the 11-item version of the EDE-QS-P showed borderline adequate fit to the one factor solution and strong internal consistency (α = 0.91). This measure also demonstrated strong convergent validity with child scores on the EDE-Q (r = .69), and moderate convergent validity with child scores on the GAD-7 (r = .37) and PHQ-9 (r = .46). The EDE-QS-P was able to differentiate children with EDs characterized by body image disturbances (e.g. anorexia nervosa) from those with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, who do not experience shape or weight concerns. Discussion: The 11-item EDE-QS-P may be a promising parent-report measure of ED pathology in children and adolescents.