The Eating Disorders Recovery Questionnaire: psychometric properties and validity

Purpose: There is no standardized measurement of recovery from an eating disorder (ED). We examined the psychometric properties and construct validity of the “Eating Disorders Recovery Questionnaire” (EDRQ), which defines recovery beyond symptoms to include self-acceptance, social emotional and physical health. Methods: Twenty-eight recovery-related items were administered to 978 people (9.5% men) aged 18–76. 172 participants had a current ED diagnosis (AN, BN or BED), 104 had a past ED diagnosis (AN, BN, BED or > one diagnosis), 105 had another past or present ED, and 579 had no lifetime ED. Participants also completed the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire, Dresden Body Image Questionnaire-35, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule—Short Form, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Satisfaction with Life Scale and Positive Eating Scale. Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses yielded four factors (CFI = 0.93, RMSEA = 0.07): lack of symptomatic behavior, acceptance of self and body, social and emotional connection, and physical health. Group comparisons showed that currently ill women scored lower on EDRQ and positive indices and higher on negative indices than controls and previously ill women. Previously ill women scored similarly to controls on ED symptomatology, positive body experiences, depression, and positive and negative affect but had lower BMI, life satisfaction and positive eating. The EDRQ–EDEQ correlation was r= 0.67, indicating both overlap and distinct variance. Conclusion: The EDRQ is a valid, reliable measure of ED recovery, defined more broadly than symptom remission. We recommend its incorporation into a standardized operationalization of recovery and its use by consumers, carers and service providers to monitor ED recovery status. Level of evidence: Level III, case–control analytic study.