Online assessment of eating disorders: The Clinical and Research Inventory for Eating Disorders (CR-EAT)

Abstract

A growing number of Internet-based interventions for eating disorders (ED) relies on questionnaires, which are not validated for Internet-based assessments. The current study aims at developing and validating the Clinical and Research Inventory for Eating Disorders (CR-EAT), an instrument specifically standardized for the online assessment of ED. Data were collected online (general population: N=1406; clinical sample: N=61), and with paper-pencil questionnaires (N=220). Principal component analysis yielded an eleven factor solution, three second order factors and a total score. The CR-EAT shows sound psychometric properties and good construct and discriminant validity, it can be recommended for the online assessment of ED.