Katharina Schieber1, Ines Kollei2, Martina de Zwaan3, Alexandra Martin4. 1. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuernberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany. katharina.schieber@uk-erlangen.de. 2. Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Bamberg, Markusplatz 3, 96047, Bamberg, Germany. 3. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany. 4. Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Wuppertal, Max-Horkheimer-Str. 20, 42097, Wuppertal, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (DCQ) is a widely used screening instrument assessing dysmorphic concerns ranging from a mild to an excessive level. It is often used in the setting of plastic and aesthetic surgery. The present study aimed at examining the psychometric properties of the DCQ in a random general population sample. METHODS: A representative sample of the German general population (N = 2053, aged between 18 and 65 years, 54% females) completed the DCQ as well as questionnaires on depression and appearance concerns. RESULTS: The DCQ showed a good internal consistency with Cronbach's α = 0.81. Its one-factor model structure was confirmed. Normative data were stratified according to gender and age. Women reported more dysmorphic concerns than men, but also within females the DCQ scores differed between age classes. Overall, 4.0% of the sample reported excessive dysmorphic concerns based on a previously defined cutoff sum score ≥ 11. CONCLUSION: The DCQ is a valid and reliable screening tool to identify individuals with excessive dysmorphic concerns. Excessive concerns may indicate also the presence of body dysmorphic disorder, but for verifying a final diagnosis the use of a structured clinical interview is necessary. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
BACKGROUND: The Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (DCQ) is a widely used screening instrument assessing dysmorphic concerns ranging from a mild to an excessive level. It is often used in the setting of plastic and aesthetic surgery. The present study aimed at examining the psychometric properties of the DCQ in a random general population sample. METHODS: A representative sample of the German general population (N = 2053, aged between 18 and 65 years, 54% females) completed the DCQ as well as questionnaires on depression and appearance concerns. RESULTS: The DCQ showed a good internal consistency with Cronbach's α = 0.81. Its one-factor model structure was confirmed. Normative data were stratified according to gender and age. Women reported more dysmorphic concerns than men, but also within females the DCQ scores differed between age classes. Overall, 4.0% of the sample reported excessive dysmorphic concerns based on a previously defined cutoff sum score ≥ 11. CONCLUSION: The DCQ is a valid and reliable screening tool to identify individuals with excessive dysmorphic concerns. Excessive concerns may indicate also the presence of body dysmorphic disorder, but for verifying a final diagnosis the use of a structured clinical interview is necessary. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
Entities:
Keywords:
Aesthetic surgery; Body dysmorphic disorder; Cosmetic surgery; Dysmorphic concerns; Normative data; Plastic surgery
Authors: Kanokporn Bhalang; Beat Steiger; Nenad Lukic; Aleksandra Zumbrunn Wojczyńska; Ray S Hovijitra; Dominik A Ettlin Journal: Front Neurol Date: 2020-12-03 Impact factor: 4.003
Authors: Isabelle Graf; Anna Enders; Ute Karbach; Tatjana Mihailovic; Teresa Kruse; Melanie Pollklas; Karolin Höfer; Joachim Zöller; Bert Braumann Journal: Head Face Med Date: 2022-06-30 Impact factor: 2.246
Authors: Neuza da Silva; Matthias Augustin; Caroline Hilbring; Catharina C Braren-von Stülpnagel; Rachel Sommer Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-09-23 Impact factor: 3.006
Authors: Georgina Krebs; Lorena Fernández de la Cruz; Frühling V Rijsdijk; Daniel Rautio; Jesper Enander; Christian Rück; Paul Lichtenstein; Sebastian Lundström; Henrik Larsson; Thalia C Eley; David Mataix-Cols Journal: Psychol Med Date: 2020-09-17 Impact factor: 10.592