The Spanish language version of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire: comparison with the Spanish language version of the eating disorder examination and test-retest reliability

Abstract

This study compared the Spanish language questionnaire (S-EDE-Q) and interview (S-EDE) versions of the Eating Disorder Examination and examined the short-term test-retest reliability of the questionnaire version. Seventy-seven monolingual Spanish-speaking Latina women recruited from the community completed the S-EDE-Q and were then administered the S-EDE by fully bilingual doctoral-level research clinicians. The same assessment was repeated after approximately one week (5-14 days). The S-EDE-Q and the S-EDE were significantly correlated on frequencies of binge eating and all four subscales. Mean differences in the frequency of binge eating and the Restraint subscale were not significant, but scores on the Eating Concern, Weight Concern, and Shape Concern subscales differed significantly, with the S-EDE-Q yielding higher scores. Test-retest reliability for the S-EDE-Q was modest for binge eating but was excellent for the subscales (Spearman rho ranged 0.71-0.81), albeit somewhat variable for the individual items. Overall, the acceptable convergence between the S-EDE-Q and the S-EDE for many features of eating disorders and the good short-term test-retest findings provide preliminary support for the use of the S-EDE-Q. These findings, derived using a non-clinical sample of monolingual Spanish-speaking Latina women, require replication and extension. Evaluation with a clinical sample is necessary to further establish the reliability of the S-EDE-Q with an eating disordered group.