Evaluation of the reliability and validity of the Italian version of the schema mode inventory for eating disorders: short form for adult with dysfunctional eating behavior

Purpose To examine the psychometric properties and the factorial structure of the Italian version of the schema mode inventory
for eating disorders—short form (SMI-ED-SF) for adults with dysfunctional eating patterns.
Methods 649 participants (72.1% females) completed the 64-item Italian version of the SMI-ED-SF and the eating disorder
examination questionnaire (EDE-Q) for measuring eating disorder symptoms. Psychometric testing included confirmatory
factor analysis (CFA) and internal consistency. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was also run to test statistical
differences between the EDE-Q subscales on the SMI-ED-SF modes, while controlling for possible confounding variables.
Results Factorial analysis confirmed the 16-factors structure for the SMI-ED-SF [S–Bχ2 (1832) = 3324.799; p < .001;
RMSEA = 0.045; 90% CI 0.043–0.048; CFI = 0.880; SRMR = 0.066; χ2/df = 1.81; < 3]. Internal consistency was acceptable
in all scales, with Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients ranging from 0.635 to 0.873.
Conclusions The SMI-ED-SF represents a reliable and valid alternative to the long-form SMI-ED for assessment and
conceptualization of schema modes in Italian adults with disordered eating habits. Its use is recommended for clinical and
research purposes.