A psychometric validation of the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Dimensional (BDD-D) scale in adolescents and young adults

Objective: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) typically emerges in late adolescence. Existing measures generally do not accommodate for recent changes in the diagnostic classification of BDD in the DSM-5 and are not validated in adolescent and young adult (AYA) samples. Method: The current study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Dimensional (BDD-D) scale in a sample of 218 participants aged 12-22 years (Mage = 18.64, SD = 2.64; 61% female). Results: The BDD-D demonstrated a unidimensional construct [χ2 (5) = 26.12, p <.001; SRMR =.03 and CFI =.97], with excellent internal consistency (α =.90). The BDD-D demonstrated good convergent validity with the Dysmorphic Concerns Questionnaire (r_s(217) =.70, p <.01), however, divergent validity with the Life Orientation Test-Revised (rs(217) = -.42, p <.01), General Self Efficacy Scale (r_s(217) = -.47, p <.01), and the Separation Anxiety Disorder Dimensional Scale (r_s(217) =.58, p <.01) was not found in the current study. The BDD-D demonstrated good concurrent validity. Conclusions: The findings suggested that the BDD-D is a brief, unidimensional, valid, and reliable measure of BDD symptom severity which can be used with AYA populations.