Validation of the Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (DCQ) in First-Episode Schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that suggests that body dysmorphia represents a risk factor that may occur at the prodromal phase of schizophrenia, affecting ongoing developmental processes and conferring vulnerability to the disease. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Arabic Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (DCQ) among patients with a first-episode schizophrenia in a Tunisian, Arabic-speaking context. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Data collection was performed using a traditional paper-and-pencil approach by a single interviewer, who was one of the study's authors. RESULTS: Our findings showed that the unidimensional factor structure of the DCQ holds up in patients with schizophrenia from a Tunisian culture and at an early stage of their disease, and shows excellent reliability (Cronbach's α of 0.91) in this specific population. Measurement invariance was supported in terms of three levels (configural, scalar and metric). Convergent validity of the DCQ was evidenced through significant positive correlations of the scale with abnormal bodily phenomena, muscle dysmorphia and body dissatisfaction. Besides, concurrent validity was demonstrated via significant positive correlations between the DCQ and four other measures: psychological distress, disordered eating, insight and psychotic symptoms severity. CONCLUSION: The DCQ showed good validity and reliability for measuring dysmorphic concerns in patients with schizophrenia from a Tunisian culture and at an early stage of their disease. The sound psychometric performance of the DCQ, its short administration time, as well as easy scoring and interpretability make it an excellent instrument for use in future clinical and research endeavours.