Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI) - Polish adaptation, women's version

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sports Medicine
• Body Image Research

Background:

• Muscle dysmorphia, characterized by a distorted perception of being too thin, is under-researched in women.
• Existing data on female body dysmorphia are limited, necessitating culturally relevant assessment tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To culturally adapt and validate the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI) for use in the female population.
• To assess the reliability and validity of the adapted MDDI (MDDI-PL) in a sample of young women.

Main Methods:

• The study involved 204 women (aged 18-35) who completed the MDDI, a personal questionnaire (including BMI, physical activity levels), and the Body Image Questionnaire (BIQ).
• Statistical analyses were employed to examine intergroup differences and correlations between variables.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in muscle dysmorphia symptom intensity were observed between women with moderate and high leisure-time physical activity levels.
• Higher Body Mass Index (BMI) and a greater discrepancy between actual and expected body weight were associated with increased muscle dysmorphia symptom intensity.

Conclusions:

• The adapted Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI-PL) demonstrated a reliable three-factor structure and satisfactory internal consistency for female populations.
• The MDDI-PL is a suitable screening tool for muscle dysmorphia, particularly among women engaged in physical activity, including competitive athletes.