Men who internalized the muscular ideal had higher levels of muscle dysmorphia when they did not highly internalize the thin ideal. However, greater internalization of both the muscularity and thin ideal independently may be most relevant in the development of disordered eating in men. Future research is needed to explore variability in experiences of muscle dysmorphia compared with disordered eating in males.
Objective
The present study aimed to investigate the factor structure of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE‐Q) in a large sample of cisgender sexual minority men and women, and subsequently, to evaluate measurement invariance by gender.
Method
The sample consisted of 962 sexual minority adult men (n = 479) and women (n = 483) who completed online self‐report surveys. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using two previously supported factor structures (Friborg et al.'s four‐factor model and Grilo et al.'s brief three‐factor model) as well as the original four‐factor structure of the EDE‐Q.
Results
Results indicated that the best fitting models were Friborg et al.'s four‐factor model (CFI = .974, RMSEA = .098, SRMR = .0 70) and Grilo et al.'s brief three‐factor model (CFI = .999, RMSEA = .049, SRMR = .017). The model fit of both factor structures were nearly identical when examined separately for men and women. The original four‐factor structure could not be supported in this sample. Measurement invariance analyses further indicated that the best fitting models were invariant by gender in sexual minority individuals. Internal consistency was adequate for all subscales of Friborg et al.'s and Grilo et al.'s models.
Discussion
The present study provides support for the use of the EDE‐Q in sexual minority men and women. Additionally, findings demonstrate that the EDE‐Q performs similarly in sexual minority men and women. Future research is needed to further evaluate measurement invariance of the EDE‐Q by sexual orientation, gender identity, and race.
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