Psychometric properties of the body dysmorphic disorder‐dimensional scale

Abstract

Background

The Body Dysmorphic Disorder‐Dimensional scale (BDD‐D) is a new measure of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) symptoms. Developed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (fifth Edition) Obsessive–Compulsive and Related Disorders subworkgroup, the five‐item scale aids in the dimensional assessment of BDD.

Methods

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the BDD‐D in a community sample. A total of 266 participants completed the study.

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the BDD‐D demonstrates a unidimensional structure (Standardised Root Mean Square Residual = .03 and Comparative Fit Index = .99). The measure also showed strong internal consistency (α = .92) and good convergent validity with the Yale Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale Modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorder. The BDD‐D demonstrated good test–retest reliability (r _s = .86) in a subset of the original sample who completed the measure at two time‐points (n = 46). Similarly, fair equivalence between online administration and pen‐and‐paper administration formats were also noted (r _s = .78) for a sample who completed the measure using two different administration formats (n = 29).

Conclusions

Overall, the BDD‐D appears to be a brief, reliable measure of BDD symptomology.

Key words:

• BDD‐D
• body dysmorphic disorder
• dimensional scale
• DSM‐5
• psychometric properties