Using the Chinese version of the screen for disordered eating to assess disordered eating : reliability, validity and correlates

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study evaluated the psychometric properties and correlates of the Screen for Disordered Eating (SDE) in the Chinese context. Eating and body image in Asian cultures differed from those in the Western context, elevating its importance in testing the validity of SDE in the Chinese context. Methods: The reliability, validity and correlates of the SDE were examined in a sample of 766 university students in Taiwan. Results: Convergent validity of the Chinese version of the SDE was demonstrated with high correlation (r = 0.664, p < 0.001) and satisfactory consistency (κ = 0.413, p < 0.001) with the Sick, Control, One Fat, and Food (SCOFF) questionnaire. Substantial factor loadings were suggested, with 52% of the variance in item responses, especially for SDE4 and SDE5. Significant correlates of disordered eating were found with sex, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and experiences of childhood trauma. Conclusions: The SDE is a reliable and valid screening instrument for disordered eating. Health and social care practitioners can utilise the SDE to screen for disordered eating behaviours in the Chinese context, so that timely interventions can be provided.