title: Missing and discrepant data on the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q): Quantity, quality, and implications.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine relations among missing and discrepant data on the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q; Fairburn & Beglin, 1994) and individual demographic factors and eating disorder symptoms. Data from 3968 men and women collected in five independent studies were examined. Descriptive statistics were used to detect the quantity of missing and discrepant data, as well as independent samples t-tests and chi-square analyses to examine group differences between participants with and without missing or discrepant data. Results indicated significant differences in data completeness by participant race/ethnicity and severity of eating disorder symptoms. White participants were most likely to provide complete survey responses, and Asian American participants were least likely to provide complete survey responses. Participants with incomplete surveys reported greater eating disorder symptoms and behaviors compared with those with complete surveys. Similarly, those with discrepant responses to behavioral items reported greater eating disorder symptoms and behaviors compared with those with congruent responses. Practical implications and recommendations for reducing and addressing incomplete data on the EDE-Q are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Counseling Psychology and Human Services, and the Prevention Science Institute, College of Education, University of Oregon, United States. Electronic address: nicholek@uoregon.edu.
authors.forename: Nichole R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Studies, American University, United States.
authors.forename: Elizabeth W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Cotter
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, United States.
authors.forename: Janet A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lydecker
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University, United States.
authors.forename: Suzanne E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Mazzeo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D001213:Asian; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire; Eating disorder; Missing data