Psychometric properties of Tamil version of Body Weight Image and Self Esteem questionnaire (BWISE) in severe mental illness in a South Indian population

Abstract

Background: Body weight image self-esteem questionnaire (BWISE) has been recently developed to assess psychosocial adjustment related to antipsychotic induced weight gain in Schizophrenia and related disorders. Patients have reported disturbance in body image and poor self esteem due to weight gain leading to treatment non-adherence.

Aim: Assessment of psychometric properties of Tamil version of Body weight image self-esteem questionnaire (BWISE) in our population.

Methodology: In a cross sectional, validation study conducted at Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), 203 consenting outpatients with DSM IV diagnosis of Schizophrenia and related psychotic disorder fulfilling inclusion/exclusion criteria were administered BWISE.

Results: The mean age of the sample was 38.21 ± 10.32 years. BWISE ratings showed that patients (54%) reported weight gain with current medications and were aware of increase in weight. Only three percent reported to have severe psychosocial adjustment to the weight gain while remaining reported moderate (55%) and mild (42%) psychosocial adjustment. Validation of Tamil version of BWISE was found to be of moderate range (internal consistency 0.55-0.72). Principal Component analysis of BWISE identified 3 components with a 50.36% variance.

Conclusions: BWISE could be used as a useful screening instrument to assess the psychosocial consequences of weight gain in patients.

Keywords: BWISE; Body image; Schizophrenia; Weight.