[Validation of the German-Language Version of the Exteroceptive Body Awareness Questionnaire (EBA-Q)]

OBJECTIVE: The perception of one's own body through external sensory channels, understood as exteroception, is a central component of various psychological processes and has been associated with different mental disorders. The Exteroceptive Body Awareness Questionnaire (EBA-Q) is an instrument for assessing the ability to perceive one's own body based on exteroceptive signals and to correctly evaluate changes. As no validated German-language version is currently available, the aim of the study was to psychometrically test the German-language version of the EBA-Q.

METHOD: Based on an online study (N=641; n=517 female, n=113 male, n=11 non-binary*/agender*), we examined the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the German-language version of the EBA-Q. After two weeks, a subsample (n=340) was surveyed again to determine test-retest reliability.

RESULTS: The originally postulated bifactorial model of the EBA-Q was not confirmed. Instead, a model with an orthogonal general factor and correlated group factors showed acceptable model fit. However, the visuo-tactile awareness subscale showed only weak to inconsistent factor loadings. Multi-group analyses between individuals with and without a mental disorder revealed no differences in the general factor, but significant differences emerged in specific group factors. Internal consistency was good and test-retest reliability proved acceptable. As expected, construct validity analyses showed correlations with measures of public body-awareness and public self-awareness.

DISCUSSION: Overall, the German-language version of the EBA-Q exhibits adequate psychometric properties. Its use in basic research and clinical practice is therefore recommended, though caution is warranted regarding the visuo-tactile body awareness subscale.