Psychology ETDs

Publication Date

9-12-2014

Abstract

Eating disorders (EDs) are common in certain nonclinical groups, such as college students. Given known health risks and other sequelae of EDs, and difficulties in assessing them, psychometrically sound measures are needed. This study assessed the validity of the EAT-16, a shortened form of the EAT-26. The EAT-16 had been previously proposed and tested as a screening measure for EDs. The measure was tested in the current study in a sample of Caucasian and Hispanic undergraduate females. In a confirmatory factor analysis, the EAT-16 four-factor structure was replicated in the Caucasian and Hispanic groups, and support for metric invariance was found. In the group of half-Hispanic individuals, a novel four-factor structure was found. In the overall sample, convergent validity and diagnostic accuracy of the measure were supported. The results provide support for the use of the EAT-16 total score in screening for eating disorders in nonclinical samples.

Degree Name

Psychology

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Psychology

First Committee Member (Chair)

Erickson, Sarah

Second Committee Member

Witkiewitz, Katie

Language

English

Keywords

eating disorder; assessment; psychometrics

Document Type

Thesis

Download

Share

COinS