Bulimia Test-Revised

Bulimia Test-Revised (BULIT-R)

The Bulimia Test-Revised (BULIT-R) is a psychometric instrument designed to assess the presence and severity of bulimia nervosa symptoms. It is a self-report questionnaire that is widely used in both clinical and research settings to screen for bulimia nervosa and to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment interventions.

Development and Purpose

The BULIT-R was developed as a revision of the original Bulimia Test (BULIT) to improve its psychometric properties and to better align with the diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The revised version includes items that reflect the core features of bulimia nervosa, such as binge eating, purging behaviors, and concerns about body shape and weight.

Structure and Scoring

The BULIT-R consists of 36 items, each rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from "never" to "always." The items are designed to capture the frequency and severity of bulimic behaviors and attitudes. The total score is calculated by summing the responses, with higher scores indicating greater severity of bulimia nervosa symptoms.

The scoring of the BULIT-R allows clinicians and researchers to identify individuals who may be at risk for bulimia nervosa and to monitor changes in symptoms over time. A cutoff score is often used to differentiate between individuals with and without clinically significant symptoms.

Psychometric Properties

The BULIT-R has demonstrated good reliability and validity in various populations. Studies have shown that it has high internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha coefficients typically exceeding 0.90. The test-retest reliability is also strong, indicating that the BULIT-R provides stable measurements over time.

In terms of validity, the BULIT-R has been shown to correlate well with other measures of eating disorders, such as the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT). It also demonstrates good discriminant validity, effectively distinguishing between individuals with bulimia nervosa and those with other eating disorders or no eating disorder.

Clinical and Research Applications

The BULIT-R is used in a variety of settings, including:

• Clinical Assessment: Clinicians use the BULIT-R to screen for bulimia nervosa in patients presenting with eating disorder symptoms. It helps in the initial assessment and in tracking treatment progress.
• Research: Researchers utilize the BULIT-R to study the prevalence and correlates of bulimia nervosa in different populations. It is also used in intervention studies to evaluate the efficacy of treatment programs.

Limitations

While the BULIT-R is a valuable tool, it is not without limitations. As a self-report measure, it is subject to response biases, such as social desirability and underreporting of symptoms. Additionally, it should not be used as the sole diagnostic tool but rather as part of a comprehensive assessment conducted by a qualified healthcare professional.

Also see

• Bulimia nervosa
• Eating Disorder Inventory
• Eating Attitudes Test
• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders