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Bell, Caroline
(2001).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21954/ou.ro.0000e337
Abstract
Objectives: The psychometric properties of the Eating Disorder Belief Questionnaire (EDBQ) in adolescent girls were analysed (stage 1). The influence of various sociocultural factors (related to family, peers and the media) on girls' eating disorder related behaviours and symptoms were also investigated (stage 2).
Method: In stage 1 eighty-three girls competed the EDBQ and other measures of eating pathology, depression and self-esteem. In stage 2 thirty-eight girls and their mothers participated. The mothers completed the EDBQ, and measures of dietary restraint and involvement in their daughter's weight/shape. Girls completed the Eating Attitudes Test, and measures of parental, peer and media influence, and a measure of their awareness and internalisation of societal standards of attractiveness.
Results: The EDBQ had a different factor structure, with one general factor emerging. The entire scale had convergent validity. Its criterion-related validity could not be tested. Several of the sociocultural factors were related to girls' EAT score. The belief that being thinner would make boys like them was the most significant predictor (particularly in younger girls). For older girls, the internalisation of societal standards was the strongest predictor, although a large proportion of variance in EAT score was left unaccounted for.
Conclusions: The EDBQ has different psychometric properties in adolescent girls, whose beliefs appear undifferentiated. The belief that being thin would make boys like them was a strong influence on the young girls' EAT score. For the older girls, internalisation of societal standards was important, however other (untested) factors also seem important.
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