Development of the Mizes Anorectic Cognitions questionnaire‐revised: Psychometric properties and factor structure in a large sample of eating disorder patients

Abstract

Objective: This project was designed to develop and test the psychometric properties and factor structure of a revision of the Mizes Anorectic Cognitions questionnaire (MAC). The goals of the revision were to improve the reliability and discriminant validity of the Weight and Approval subscale and to equalize the length of the three subscales. Also, the study compared the original MAC and the MAC-R in terms of their psychometric properties. Method: Twenty-four new items were developed for potential inclusion in the MAC-R, in addition to the original 33 items of the MAC. These items were administered to 205 eating disorder patients from five eating disorder clinics or programs, including inpatient, outpatient, and residential treatment settings that served diverse patient populations. Additionally, other measures of eating disorder constructs were administered to assess construct validity. Results: Factor analysis of the large pool of items and item reduction resulted in the final 24-item MAC-R, each subscale being eight items in length. Results showed that the MAC-R highly correlated with the MAC and other eating disorder questionnaires. Reliability of the MAC-R was improved over that of the MAC. Two subscales of the MAC-R discriminated among diagnostic groups, whereas the original MAC did not, indicating improved sensitivity of the revised scale. Discussion: The MAC-R appears to be an improvement over the original MAC. It provides useful information on the cognitions of eating-disordered patients and merits further investigation into its psychometric properties.

Eating Attitudes, Coping Styles, and Peer Victimization Among Adolescents with Seasonal and Nonseasonal Depression Symptoms

“…Mizes Anorectic Cognitions Questionnaire-Revised (MACS-R: Mizes et al 2000). Eating cognitions were assessed using the 24-item MACS-R.…”

“…Eating cognitions were assessed using the 24-item MACS-R. The MACS-R is a comprehensive measures of eating cognitions and has been shown to differentiate individuals with symptoms of disordered eating and controls (Mizes 1992), as well as other broader disordered eating scales such as the Eating Disorders Inventory (Garner and Olmsted 1984;Mizes et al 2000). The MACS-R has three subscales: weight and eating behavior are the basis of approval by others (Weight and Approval subscale), self control with respect to eating and weight behaviors are the basis of self esteem (SelfControl subscale) and the importance of valuing rigid weight regulation and fearing weight gain (Rigid Weight Regulation subscale).…”

Disordered Eating Cognitions as Predictors of Attitudes toward Seeking Professional Psychological Services

“…Disordered eating cognitions are multi-dimensional and include the fear of gaining weight, perceived importance of having an ideal weight and shape as a means of being accepted by others, and perceived self-worth related to self-control over diet and weight (Fairburn 2008;Fairburn et al 2003;Mizes et al 2000). In both clinical and non-clinical samples, research has demonstrated that these cognitions are associated with disordered eating behaviors (Miller et al 2009), general psychological distress Stice et al 1998), and help-seeking behaviors and attitudes (e.g., Cramer 1999; Mond et al 2009).…”

“…The Mizes Anorectic Cognitions Questionnaire-Revised (MAC-R; Mizes et al 2000) is a 24-item self-report questionnaire designed to assess distorted cognitions related to all eating disorders. The cognitions involved are the fear of weight gain (e.g., "When I see someone who is overweight, I worry that I will be like him/her"), the importance of being thin or attractive to be socially accepted ("No one likes fat people; therefore, I must remain thin to be liked by others"), and self-esteem based on controlled eating habits and weight gain ("If my weight goes up, my self-esteem goes down").…”

“…Total scores range from 24 to 120 with higher scores indicating greater disordered eating-related dysfunctional cognitions. Prior research has demonstrated good internal consistency of the MAC-R, with a Cronbach's alpha of .90 (Mizes et al 2000).…”