Psychometric properties of self-monitoring of eating disorder urges among treatment seeking women: ecological momentary assessment using a daily diary method.

OBJECTIVES

The psychometric properties of an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) method used to evaluate eating disorder (ED) urges were examined.

METHODS

Participants, 139 women who sought treatment for an ED, completed a daily diary measuring ED urges after each meal for a three week period at the start of treatment, and a measure of ED attitudes and behaviors pre- and post-treatment.

RESULTS

The construct validity of this method was indicated by a two factor solution representing binge eating urges and ED compensatory behavior urges, and by significant differences between ED diagnostic groups on ED urge type. Correlations of ED urges early in therapy with outcomes provided evidence for predictive validity. Correlations at pre-treatment between ED urges and ED attitudes and behaviors supported criterion validity. EMA of ED urges showed good retest stability.

CONCLUSIONS

EMA of ED urges is a valid and reliable approach that is associated with ED symptom severity, and predictive of treatment outcome.