Data di Pubblicazione:
2026
Abstract:
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is characterized by an excessive concern about perceived physical defects,
often causing significant psychological distress. Cognitive fusion plays a crucial role in the symptomatology
of BDD; it is a psychological process in which individuals become entangled with their thoughts
rather than considering them as mere mental events. However, such fusion related to physical appearance
can also manifest in non-clinical populations, highlighting the need for context-specific evaluation tools.
Nonetheless, the measures currently available in Italy, such as the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire-7, may
not adequately assess the cognitive fusion specifically directed toward body dysmorphic concerns. This
study, therefore, examined the psychometric properties of an Italian version of the CFQ-7 adapted for
body dysmorphic disorder (BDD-CFQ).
A total of 166 women and 120 men completed an online questionnaire, which included the BDD-CFQ, the
generic cognitive fusion instrument, the Body Compassion Scale, and the Questionario sul Dismorfismo Corporeo
(Questionnaire on Body Dysmorphia). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted, along with a
multi-group analysis to verify gender invariance, and further analyses of construct validity. The CFA showing
good fit indices. Additional results demonstrated excellent internal consistency (α = .96), outstanding construct
and incremental validity, as well as evidence of gender invariance. Consequently, the BDD-CFQ emerges
as a brief and effective tool for assessing a key process of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
relevant to body defect concerns in both clinical and non-clinical contexts. These findings have important
implications for the development of targeted interventions and the evaluation of the effectiveness of ACT
interventions focused on symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder.
often causing significant psychological distress. Cognitive fusion plays a crucial role in the symptomatology
of BDD; it is a psychological process in which individuals become entangled with their thoughts
rather than considering them as mere mental events. However, such fusion related to physical appearance
can also manifest in non-clinical populations, highlighting the need for context-specific evaluation tools.
Nonetheless, the measures currently available in Italy, such as the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire-7, may
not adequately assess the cognitive fusion specifically directed toward body dysmorphic concerns. This
study, therefore, examined the psychometric properties of an Italian version of the CFQ-7 adapted for
body dysmorphic disorder (BDD-CFQ).
A total of 166 women and 120 men completed an online questionnaire, which included the BDD-CFQ, the
generic cognitive fusion instrument, the Body Compassion Scale, and the Questionario sul Dismorfismo Corporeo
(Questionnaire on Body Dysmorphia). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted, along with a
multi-group analysis to verify gender invariance, and further analyses of construct validity. The CFA showing
good fit indices. Additional results demonstrated excellent internal consistency (α = .96), outstanding construct
and incremental validity, as well as evidence of gender invariance. Consequently, the BDD-CFQ emerges
as a brief and effective tool for assessing a key process of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
relevant to body defect concerns in both clinical and non-clinical contexts. These findings have important
implications for the development of targeted interventions and the evaluation of the effectiveness of ACT
interventions focused on symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder.
Tipologia CRIS:
1.1 Articolo in rivista
Keywords:
Body dysmorphic disorder; Cognitive fusion; Psychometric validation; Confirmatory
analysis; Gender invariance.
Elenco autori:
Policardo, Giulia Rosa; Micheli, Elena; Di Gesto, Cristian
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