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The Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire in the German General Population: Psychometric Properties and Normative Data

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Abstract

Background

The Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (DCQ) is a widely used screening instrument assessing dysmorphic concerns ranging from a mild to an excessive level. It is often used in the setting of plastic and aesthetic surgery. The present study aimed at examining the psychometric properties of the DCQ in a random general population sample.

Methods

A representative sample of the German general population (N = 2053, aged between 18 and 65 years, 54% females) completed the DCQ as well as questionnaires on depression and appearance concerns.

Results

The DCQ showed a good internal consistency with Cronbach’s α = 0.81. Its one-factor model structure was confirmed. Normative data were stratified according to gender and age. Women reported more dysmorphic concerns than men, but also within females the DCQ scores differed between age classes. Overall, 4.0% of the sample reported excessive dysmorphic concerns based on a previously defined cutoff sum score ≥ 11.

Conclusion

The DCQ is a valid and reliable screening tool to identify individuals with excessive dysmorphic concerns. Excessive concerns may indicate also the presence of body dysmorphic disorder, but for verifying a final diagnosis the use of a structured clinical interview is necessary.

Level of Evidence IV

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuernberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany

    Katharina Schieber

  2. Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Bamberg, Markusplatz 3, 96047, Bamberg, Germany

    Ines Kollei

  3. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany

    Martina de Zwaan

  4. Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Wuppertal, Max-Horkheimer-Str. 20, 42097, Wuppertal, Germany

    Alexandra Martin

Authors
  1. Katharina Schieber
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  2. Ines Kollei
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  3. Martina de Zwaan
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  4. Alexandra Martin
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Correspondence to Katharina Schieber.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Schieber, K., Kollei, I., de Zwaan, M. et al. The Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire in the German General Population: Psychometric Properties and Normative Data. Aesth Plast Surg 42, 1412–1420 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-018-1183-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-018-1183-1

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