Validating the visceral sensitivity index in an eating disorder sample.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Gastroenterology
• Psychometrics

Background:

• Individuals with eating disorders (EDs) often struggle with tolerating uncomfortable bodily sensations.
• Anxiety sensitivity to gastrointestinal (GI) sensations is relevant to EDs, but no validated measures exist.
• The Visceral Sensitivity Index (VSI) was originally validated in irritable bowel syndrome samples.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the 15-item Visceral Sensitivity Index (VSI) in an eating disorder (ED) sample.
• To explore the associations between visceral sensitivity and ED symptoms.
• To assess the psychometric properties of the VSI in an ED population.

Main Methods:

• Two hundred sixty-six adolescents and adults in an ED partial hospital program completed the VSI and related measures.
• Confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine the VSI's factor structure.
• Hierarchical regression analyses explored the relationship between the VSI and ED symptoms.

Main Results:

• Both the original 15-item VSI and a modified 13-item VSI demonstrated adequate model fit.
• Both VSI versions exhibited strong internal consistency and supported convergent and divergent validity.
• Higher visceral sensitivity was significantly associated with increased body dissatisfaction, cognitive restraint, purging, restricting, and excessive exercise.

Conclusions:

• The findings support the relevance of GI-specific anxiety in EDs.
• The 15-item and 13-item VSI possess strong psychometric properties for use in ED samples.
• Both VSI versions are suitable for future research on eating disorders and visceral sensitivity.