The Development and Validation of the Functions of Eating Disorder Behaviors Scale

Background and Purpose: This presentation reports the development and validation of the Functions of Eating Disorder Behaviors Scale (FEDBS), which was designed to measure potential reasons that individuals engage in eating disorder (ED) behaviors. Specifically, this scale attempts to measure what purpose or function these maladaptive behaviors serve in an individual’s life, which may be used to guide intervention decisions. The scale was developed under the lens of dialogical self theory.

Method: The survey instrument development was guided by a thorough review of the literature and feedback via quantitative and qualitative content validation from an expert panel. Non-probability, purposive sampling methodology was utilized to sample individuals between the dates of January and March 2014. A total of 108 adults self-identified as being diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or ED not otherwise specified completed FEDBS along with two other validated scales to assess construct validity. Reliability analyses and Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) were utilized to assess scale psychometrics.

Results: The primary hypothesis that FEDBS would be found to consist of six domains composed of 40 items was not supported. Following reliability analysis and CFA, the revised FEDBS with five latent factors and 32 individual items provided the best fit to the model. The five factors or functions of ED behaviors assessed in the scale are: ED identity, emotional numbing, control, receipt of love and attention from others, and self-punishment. FEDBS has good reliability where the lowest alpha is for the “Control” subscale alpha at .83 (above the minimally acceptable guideline of .80); the rest of the subscales, all meet the respectable (.85-.89) or very good (.90-.95)  guidelines indicating high internal consistency. The CFA indicated an overall acceptable fit of the model. The results are limited by a small sample size of 108. Secondary hypotheses examining construct validity evidence were supported. The scale demonstrated good convergent and discriminant validity.

Conclusions and Implications: Preliminary evidence suggests that FEDBS is a novel measure assessing specific functions of ED behaviors. No other scale has attempted to measure this aspect of EDs. FEDBS may provide more options for ED clinicians and researchers to assess aspects of EDs that have been largely ignored in the literature. Looking at specific functions of maladaptive behavior that is specific to the EDs is necessary. EDs are multi-faceted, complex disorders that need to be assessed from a number of different angles in a number of different disciplines. Social workers look at the person in environment, taking many different levels of measurement into account. We need to look beyond standardized diagnostic criteria and look at the reasons behind these disorders. FEDBS, in these early stages of development may be a tool that can begin this type of dialogue and way of thinking for clients, clinicians, and researchers. Further studies need to be undertaken to further develop, refine, and validate the instrument so that it may be utilized on a larger scale in research and practice.