The development of the P-CAN, a measure to operationalize the pros and cons of anorexia nervosa.
OBJECTIVE
Research has suggested that a fundamental aspect of anorexia nervosa (AN) is its egosyntonic nature, the fact that it is often valued by individuals with the disorder. The current study describes the development of the P-CAN, a quantitative measure of both positive (valued) and negative aspects of AN.


METHODS
Items were derived from a previous qualitative study (Serpell, Treasure, Teasdale, & Sullivan. 1999. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 25, 177-186). Data from 233 women with AN were subjected to a principal components analysis.


RESULTS
Ten subscales were identified, six describing the pros of AN and four describing the cons of the illness.


CONCLUSIONS
The P-CAN shows good psychometric properties and should prove a useful tool for the measurement of attitudes towards AN, as well as offer insights into the maintenance of the disorder.
Serpell
Lucy
L
Department of Mental Health, St. Georges Hospital Medical School, London, UK. lucy@serpell.com
Teasdale
John D
JD
Troop
Nicholas A
NA
Treasure
Janet
J
D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires