Abstract

The Eating Survey is a new screening instrument for adolescent eating disturbances. The purpose of this study was to empirically examine how the Eating Survey functions as a total screening instrument and to find a clinical cutoff score for the current 17 items. The participants were 2,569 non-clinical adolescents with a comparative sample of 41 inpatient adolescents aged 14-17. More specifically, this study examined the age and gender differences of the 2,569 non-clinical adolescent males and females. It also compared the 1,662 non-clinical females to a sample of 41 inpatient females. Specificity and sensitivity analyses were conducted to find the most efficient clinical cutoff score while maintaining a balanced approach and a high efficiency rating. The findings of the current study suggests that the Eating Survey appears to function as expected with analysis results showing trends similar to current research. A clinical cutoff score of 51 was found to be the most efficient cutoff while keeping a balanced approach regarding specificity and sensitivity. With a clinical cutoff score of 51, a 14% at-risk base rate was found, which matches both research literature and other screening instruments.

Degree

EdS

College and Department

David O. McKay School of Education; Counseling Psychology and Special Education

Rights

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