Psychometric properties of the eating disorder inventory in clinical and nonclinical populations in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE

To examine psychometric properties and investigate factor structures of the Mandarin Chinese version of the Eating Disorder Inventory (C-EDI).

METHOD: The Mandarin C-EDI and other self-administered questionnaires were completed by a group of female eating disorder (ED) patients (n = 551) and a group of female nursing students (n = 751). Internal consistency, and convergent and discriminant validities were evaluated. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to examine the construct validity of the Mandarin C-EDI.

RESULTS

The Mandarin C-EDI had good internal consistency and convergent and discriminant validities. With a few exceptions, the original clinically derived eight EDI subscales were clearly identified and the factorial validity of the first-order eight-factor structure and the second-order two-factor structure showed an acceptable degree of fit to our empirical data in clinical patients.

DISCUSSION: The findings suggest that the Mandarin C-EDI is a valid tool for clinical use in Taiwan.