Multidimensionality in adolescent eating problems. A two-phase measurement study.
The aims of this study were, firstly, to examine the factor structure of single items from several self-report methods used to measure eating disorder symptoms, and secondly, in search for a short assessment instrument to reduce the number of items within each factor. Factor analyses were employed to identify and confirm the constructs measured by a total of sixty items drawn from these assessment methods. In phase one, 508 secondary school pupils were recruited as subjects, and principal factor analysis identified three factors; body concern, dieting, and loss of control over eating. Twenty-nine items were retained, and in phase two subjected to a second data collection among 4129 secondary school pupils. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to cross-validate the factor structure from phase one. The three-factor structure was confirmed satisfactorily for boys, but not for girls aged 12-14 years. For girls aged 14-16 years, it was confirmed when a number of items were omitted. The findings are discussed in relation to restraint theory and the continuum hypothesis.
Department of Psychosocial Sciences, University of Bergen, Christiesgate 12, N-5015 Bergen, Norway.
B K
BK
Engelsen
D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors