Eating-related intrusions in a community sample: development and validation of the eating-related intrusive thoughts inventory (INPIAS)

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to develop and validate the Eating-related Intrusive Thoughts Inventory (INPIAS), a self-report that evaluates the frequency of intrusions with an eating-related content, their emotional repercussions and control strategies. Three hundred fifty eight participants from the community took part in this investigation. The principal components analysis of the first part (type and frequency of intrusions) indicated a bi-factorial structure: “Normative discontent intrusions” and “Eating psychopathology impulses”. Part 2A (consequences and ratings) was made up of two factors: “Emotional charge” and “Fulfilled prophesy/personal significance”. Part 2B (control strategies) consisted of four factors: “Normalizing strategies”, “Neutralization/suppression”, “Non-eating rituals” and “No control”. The internal consistency and the test-retest reliability were excellent. The INPIAS was able to differentiate between people with and without risk of suffering an eating disorder, as their intrusions were quantitatively and qualitatively different. The INPIAS is useful evaluating intrusions related to eating disorders, an area that has been studied little and is of increasing interest in the obsessive-compulsive spectrum.