Development and Validation of Body Dysmorphic Disorder Scale for Screening General Population

Abstract

Objective: To develop a reliable and valid Urdu indigenous Body Dysmorphic Disorder Scale (BDDS) for the Pakistani community.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Psychology, University of Gujrat, Gujrat Pakistan, from Jun to Dec 2020.

Methodology: Based on the literature review, DSM-V criteria and semi-structured interviews conducted with psychologists clinical psychologists, and psychiatrists, an item pool of 78 items was generated for BDDS. A panel of five experts evaluated these items for content and revised them based on judgemental remarks. In the pilot study, 40 individuals were purposively selected, and 78 items were administered, yielding 0.94 Cronbach Alpha. Pilot study-I was conducted on 350 participants for Inter-item correlations and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Pilot study II selected 120 participants conveniently, and Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (DCQ) along with a Scale of Adjustment Problems for Adults (SAPA) and BDDS were administered to analyse the validation of BDDS. In the main study, 200 conveniently selected individuals were given BDDS for Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA).

Results: Exploratory Factor Analysis yielded three factors with 77 total items of BDDS, each having 19 (Behavioural Slants), 14 (Relational Sensitivity) and 44 (Self-Criticism) items, showing Cronbach Alpha of 0.98 on the present sample. Convergent validity and discriminant validity DCQ and SAPA were satisfactory, respectively. CFA on 200 conveniently selected general population youth yielded 18 items screening BDDS.

Conclusion: Body Dysmorphic Disorder Scale is a reliable and valid indigenous tool developed in Pakistan. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed to screen the general population.