Validation of the 12-item Short Form of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire in the Chinese context: confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis

Purpose: As a 12-item Short Form of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-QS), the EDE-QS was developed based on Rasch modeling to address certain weaknesses of the EDE-Q, and it has been demonstrated to be a psychometrically sound measure. Thus, the current study aimed to obtain a Chinese version of the EDE-QS and validate its psychometric properties in the Chinese context. Methods: According to standard procedures, the Chinese version of the EDE-QS (C-EDE-QS) was obtained. A total of 1068 Chinese college students finished the survey. The psychometric properties of the C-EDE-QS were examined under the frameworks of both classic test theory and Rasch modeling. Results: The one-factor structure of the C-EDE-QS was confirmed in confirmatory factor analysis; the C-EDE-QS showed good reliability with a Cronbach’s α of 0.89; and the total scores of the C-EDE-QS were significantly correlated with eating disturbances and psychological distress in expected magnitudes and directions. Rasch analysis supported the unidimensional construct of the C-EDE-QS and the four-point rating scale structure. However, results revealed differential item functioning (DIF) across gender groups. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the C-EDE-QS could be a useful tool to assess key attitudes and behavioral features of eating disorder psychopathologies in the Chinese context. Level of evidence: V, descriptive (cross-sectional) study.