Assessing negative core beliefs in eating disorders: revision of the Eating Disorder Core Beliefs Questionnaire

Amaani H Hatoum; Amy L Burton; Maree J Abbott

doi:10.1186/s40337-022-00542-9

Assessing negative core beliefs in eating disorders: revision of the Eating Disorder Core Beliefs Questionnaire

J Eat Disord. 2022 Feb 10;10(1):18. doi: 10.1186/s40337-022-00542-9.

Authors

Amaani H Hatoum¹, Amy L Burton^{1

2}, Maree J Abbott³

Affiliations

¹ School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
² Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia.
³ School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia. maree.abbott@sydney.edu.au.

Abstract

Background: Increased theoretical and empirical attention has been given to examining the role of core beliefs in both the development and maintenance of eating disorders (EDs). The Eating Disorder Core Beliefs Questionnaire (ED-CBQ) is self-report measure designed to assess five dimensions of core beliefs relating to eating disorders; self-loathing, unassertive/inhibited, demanding/needing help and support, abandoned/deprived, and high standards for the self. The present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the ED-CBQ and to develop a revised and improved version of the original measure after evaluating its factor structure and related properties.

Methods: A sample of undergraduate university students (N = 763) completed an online test battery of questionnaires. Putative ED-symptomatic (n = 384) and non-ED (n = 379) subgroups were created from self-reported responses from the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDEQ). Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) were performed, and internal consistency, construct validity, group differences and clinical utility was examined.

Results: An initial CFA did not support the original five-factor 40-item ED-CBQ. A revised version was developed that possessed equal or superior psychometric properties to the original 40-item measure. The ED-CBQ-R demonstrated superior model fit, similar levels of reliability and construct validity, and the ability to discriminate between putative ED diagnostic groups.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that the ED-CBQ-R is a valid, reliable, but more importantly an efficient and accessible measure with the potential to be utilised both clinically and in research settings.

Keywords: Core beliefs; Eating disorders; Factor analysis; Questionnaire; Validity.

Plain language summary

In this study, we evaluated and revised the Eating Disorder Core Beliefs Questionnaire (ED-CBQ); a measure designed to assess five areas of core beliefs hypothesised to be relevant to the development and maintenance of a variety of eating disorder presentations. The present study aimed to evaluate the ED-CBQ and to develop a revised and improved version of the original measure after evaluating its factor structure and related properties. We did not find support for the original ED-CBQ, and as such, a revised version was developed that possessed equal or superior properties to the original 40-item measure. The ED-CBQ-R was able to differentiate between eating disorder symptomatic and non-eating disorder groups, and importantly, was a valid, reliable and efficient tool for future clinicians and researchers. This new tool may prove useful in future research when considering the core cognitive features underlying a variety of disordered eating and feeding presentations.