Objective: This study sought to estimate the prevalence of depression and anxiety in UK college students and examine associations between mental health symptoms and quality of life (QoL). Associations between psychiatric comorbidity and degree of QoL impairment were also investigated. Participants: Participants (N = 286) were recruited from a UK university (76.1% ≤20 years-old; 86.8% female; 71.1% White). Methods: Self-report measures of depression, anxiety, and QoL were completed online. Group differences and within-group associations were examined with Chi-square analyses, linear regressions, and ANOVAs. Results: Prevalence rates were in line with global estimates and suggest female students are at elevated risk of mental health problems. Symptom severity and comorbidity were associated with greater QoL impairment. Conclusions: Presence of depression, anxiety, or both was associated with QoL impairment. Findings develop understanding of the impact of mental health problems on QoL and could inform appropriate screening and effective interventions for student mental health.

Objective: The main aim was to perform a systematic literature review of studies investigating the factor structure of the Eating Disorder Examination‐Questionnaire (EDE‐Q), a widely used measure of eating pathology. Secondary aims were to summarize the quality of reporting of latent variable (factor) analyses in these studies and review support for different factor solutions.Method: Literature was identified through Scopus, Medline, PsycInfo, and ProQuest databases published up to February 23, 2022 and outreach via an international listserv. All studies published in English reporting factor analysis of the EDE‐Q were included with few restrictions. Sixty studies including 63,389 participants met inclusion criteria.Results: The originally proposed four‐factor solution received little empirical support, although few alternative models have been robustly evaluated. Items assessing shape and weight concerns frequently coalesce in factor solutions, suggesting that these constructs are closely related. Investigations of brief versions of the EDE‐Q have produced more consistent findings, suggesting that these measures, particularly a seven‐item version, might be useful alternatives to the full version. Quality of studies was reasonable, with important methodological elements of factor analysis often reported.Discussion: The findings are of relevance to practitioners and researchers, suggesting that the “original” factor structure of the EDE‐Q should be reconsidered and that use of a seven‐item version is to be encouraged.Public Significance: Self‐report questionnaires are widely used in the assessment of disordered eating. The current study found that there is little consensus about the structure of a common measure of eating psychopathology. There is more consistent support for a brief, seven‐item, version assessing dietary restraint, body dissatisfaction, and overvaluation of weight and shape.

Objective: Several recent studies have examined the psychometric properties of brief measures of eating disorder attitudes based on the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE‐Q). A seven‐item version (the EDE‐Q7) has been proposed but, as yet, has only been investigated by looking at the items when presented as part of the longer EDE‐Q (i.e., as a nested version). The current study presented the EDE‐Q7 as a standalone instrument and examined factor structure fit and measurement invariance across male and female genders.Methods: University students (244 women; 155 men; 1 did not identify with either gender) completed questionnaires as part of two independent studies. All individuals completed the EDE‐Q7 and measures of eating disorder behaviors. In a mixed‐gender subsample (n = 286), measures of depression and eating disorder‐specific quality of life were also included. Confirmatory factor analysis of the EDE‐Q7 was conducted on males and females independently, in addition to estimates of internal consistency reliability and validity. Measurement invariance was assessed through multigroup confirmatory factor analysis.Results: The EDE‐Q7 demonstrated good internal consistency and findings supported measurement invariance by gender. In a mixed‐gender subsample, the measure showed positive associations with depression and both eating disorder behaviors and eating disorder‐specific quality of life.Discussion: The present study adds to the literature supporting the psychometric properties of the EDE‐Q7, extending this to use of the questionnaire as a standalone instrument. Measurement invariance suggests that the measure may be appropriate for college‐age men and women, although future studies should establish psychometric properties more fully.

Objective: Increasing the availability and accessibility of evidence‐based treatments for eating disorders is an important goal. This study investigated the effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of guided self‐help via face‐to‐face meetings (fGSH) and a more scalable method, providing support via email (eGSH).Method: A pragmatic, randomized controlled trial was conducted at three sites. Adults with binge‐eating disorders were randomized to fGSH, eGSH, or a waiting list condition, each lasting 12 weeks. The primary outcome variable for clinical effectiveness was overall severity of eating psychopathology and, for cost‐effectiveness, binge‐free days, with explorative analyses using symptom abstinence. Costs were estimated from both a partial societal and healthcare provider perspective.Results: Sixty participants were included in each condition. Both forms of GSH were superior to the control condition in reducing eating psychopathology (IRR = −1.32 [95% CI −1.77, −0.87], p < .0001; IRR = −1.62 [95% CI −2.25, −1.00], p < .0001) and binge eating. Attrition was higher in eGSH. Probabilities that fGSH and eGSH were cost‐effective compared with WL were 93% (99%) and 51% (79%), respectively, for a willingness to pay of £100 (£150) per additional binge‐free day.Discussion: Both forms of GSH were associated with clinical improvement and were likely to be cost‐effective compared with a waiting list condition. Provision of support via email is likely to be more convenient for many patients although the risk of non‐completion is greater.