Validation of the Cosmetic Procedure Screening (COPS) Questionnaire in the Greek language

Practitioners in cosmetic and aesthetic treatment practices are likely to unknowingly work with patients with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). Screening questionnaires to identify the disorder in Greece are lacking. The purpose of this study was to validate a Greek version of the Cosmetic Procedure Screening (COPS) questionnaire, a self-report measure of how the respondents feel about their appearance, before an aesthetic intervention. The COPS was translated into Greek and was completed by 216 adult females from several areas of Attica (four private beauty centers, three dermatology clinics, five plastic surgery clinics, and Thriasio General Hospital of Elefsina) who pursued a cosmetic procedure. Participants also completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14). The Greek version of the COPS questionnaire demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's α of 0.856) with corrected item's total range 0.468 to 0.687. Two of the factors explained 58.98% of total variance. Twenty (9.26%) women had a possible diagnosis of BDD (80% were unmarried, 95% had no children, 80% had university education). An increase in perceived stress levels was associated with an increase in the likelihood of being diagnosed with BDD (Pearson's r=0.726). The Greek version of the COPS questionnaire is a valid instrument that can be used by professionals to screen adult women for BDD.