The Eating Disorder Inventory-2 in Japanese clinical and non-clinical samples: psychometric properties and...

To determine the usefulness of and cross-cultural differences in the Japanese version of the eating disorder inventory-2 (EDI-2).

A Japanese version of the EDI-2 was administered to a consecutive series (1995-2001) of 91 Japanese eating disordered inpatients and 119 matched non-clinical controls. Scores were compared with each other and with those of Canadian data previously reported. Internal consistencies were also examined.

All subscales (except Ascetism) reached sufficient internal consistencies. The patients' mean scores were significantly higher than controls on most subscales. Restricting anorexics (AN-R) scored higher than controls on body dissatisfaction (BD) and Social Insecurity (SI) subscales. Purging bulimics (BN-P) scored higher than controls on most subscales, except for maturity fears (MF) and SI subscales. Scores of binge-eating/purging type anorexics (AN-B/P) were higher than controls on all subscales. AN-B/P and BN-P scored higher than AN-R on bulimia (B) subscale. Comparison with Canadian subjects showed that Japanese control subjects scored significantly higher on the MF, ineffectiveness (I), impulse regulation (IR), SI subscales, and lower on the perfectionism (P) subscale.

The EDI-2 is useful and reliable in understanding Japanese clinical and non-clinical samples. High MF and low P subscales in our samples confirm previous findings in Chinese samples suggesting meaningful cultural differences in the emphasis placed on family bonds and individual accomplishments. In addition, high I, IR, and SI scores in Japanese non-clinical samples may reflect recent problems in Japanese culture.