Validating Online Parent‐ and Self‐Report Screening Methods for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.

Objective: Although several assessments have been developed to diagnose or measure avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) symptoms, few studies have validated these tools in nonclinical and adult samples. This study explored the validity of two self‐ and parent/guardian‐report ARFID screening measures in identifying adults and children who may have ARFID within a large community sample. Method: Fifty participants (divided into two groups: 25 adults and 25 parents/guardians of children) were selected from the ARFID Genes and Environment study, which enrolled over 3000 adults and parents/guardians of children who screened positive for ARFID on either the Pica, ARFID, and Rumination Disorder Interview–ARFID Questionnaire (PARDI‐AR‐Q) or the Nine Item ARFID Screen (NIAS) self‐ and parent/guardian‐report measures. Participants then completed the ARFID portion of the Pica, ARFID, and Rumination Disorder Interview (PARDI) to determine ARFID diagnosis. Results: Correlations between the PARDI‐AR‐Q and PARDI (r = 0.31–0.67) were weaker than the correlations between the NIAS and PARDI (r = 0.53–0.64) in both groups. The diagnostic positive predictive value for the PARDI‐AR‐Q was numerically higher (adults = 55.0%; parents/guardians = 76.0%) than the NIAS (adults = 45.8%; parents/guardians = 64.0%). Most PARDI‐AR‐Q dimensions and all NIAS dimensions were significant predictors of their corresponding PARDI dimensions in both groups. Discussion: The PARDI‐AR‐Q more accurately identified adults and children with ARFID, whereas the NIAS was a better estimator of ARFID symptoms. These findings provide partial support for using these self‐ and parent/guardian‐report screeners. Results highlight the need to better understand diagnostic presentations of ARFID within community samples, particularly in adults, and to refine these tools within those populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]