Some hope for a dimensional assessment? A critical review of psychometric validated (semi‐)structured interview to assess eating disorders

• Published in: European eating disorders review 2024-11, Vol.32 (6), p.1138-1156
• Main Authors: Tournayre, Lola, Balbinotti, Marcos Alencar Abaide, Monthuy‐Blanc, Johana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: dimensional approach; Eating disorders; Feeding and Eating Disorders - diagnosis; Humans; Interview, Psychological - standards; Interviews; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales - standards; psychometric assessment; Psychometrics - instrumentation; Psychometrics - standards; Quantitative psychology; Reproducibility of Results; review; semi‐structured interview
• ISSN: 1072-4133; 1099-0968; 1099-0968
• DOI: 10.1002/erv.3115

Objective Given that eating disorders (EDs) are considered one of the deadliest mental illnesses, the development of appropriate assessment instruments is a necessity. Despite the extensive literature on assessing EDs, there has been a lack of focus on semi‐structured interviews. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of psychometrically validated semi‐structured interviews for EDs. Methods Included studies (N = 24) were required to present a semi‐structured interview for EDs that has been validated through a psychometric process. The APA PsycNet, MEDLINE, APA Psycinfo, Pubmed, and Health & Psychosocial Instruments databases were searched. The literature search included publications through May 2024, with no earliest year restriction. Results A total of six instruments were identified and reviewed in terms of conceptual design, purpose and content, psychometric characteristics, and strengths and limitations. Three main findings were highlighted: (a) only half of the instruments are up to date; (b) the instruments are based on either a categorical or a mixed categorical‐dimensional approach; and (c) the predominance of the categorical approach. Conclusions The results are discussed regarding the conceptual approaches of the instrument to provide clinical and research implications. Despite the many strengths of the instrument, additional psychometric research is needed. Highlight The complexity of eating disorders (EDs) challenges traditional DSM‐5 categorisation. With more than 50% of individuals diagnosed in a residual category with limited treatment research, there is a critical need for accurate diagnosis through validated assessment tools based on alternative approaches. Of the six existing semi‐structured assessments of EDs, only three are up to date and can be used for both clinical and research applications. The electronic format and dual scoring (categorical and dimensional) of the instrument are promising features for providing a comprehensive and personalised assessment of EDs.