Validation of the Social Appearance Anxiety Scale in female eating disorder patients

Claes, Laurence; Hart, Trevor A.; Smits, Dirk; Van den Eynde, Frederique; Mueller, Astrid; Mitchell, James E.

doi:10.1002/ERV.1147

Title

Validation of the Social Appearance Anxiety Scale in female eating disorder patients

Author

Claes, Laurence

Hart, Trevor A.

Smits, Dirk

Van den Eynde, Frederique

Mueller, Astrid

Mitchell, James E.

Abstract

In the present study, we investigated the psychometric properties of the Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS) in a sample of 60 female eating disorder patients (Mage?=?27.82, SD?=?9.76). The SAAS was developed to assess anxiety about being negatively evaluated for one's appearance. All patients completed the SAAS, the Eating Disorder Inventory2, the Physical Health Questionnaire9 Depression and the Dimensional Assessment of Personality Psychopathology. The SAAS demonstrated a one-factor structure and a high internal consistency. The SAAS was significantly positive in relation to body mass index, drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction. Concerning personality dimensions, the SAAS was positively related to emotional problems (e.g. depression, anxiety) and interpersonal problems (e.g. suspiciousness, submissiveness). Findings suggest that the SAAS is a psychometrically sound instrument to assess anxiety about being negatively evaluated about one's appearance in a sample of eating disorder patients. Copyright (C) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.

Language

English

Source (journal)

European eating disorders review. - Bognor Regis

Publication

Bognor Regis : 2012

ISSN

1072-4133

1099-0968 [online]

DOI

10.1002/ERV.1147

Volume/pages