Validating the family coping questionnaire for eating disorders for caregivers of Japanese patients with eating disorders: association between coping strategies and psychological characteristics

Background Eating disorders (ED) can adversely affect the psychological health of patients’ caregivers. The present study aimed to validate a Japanese version of the Family Coping Questionnaire for Eating Disorders (FCQ-ED-J) and investigate the association between the coping strategies and psychological states of the caregivers of ED patients. Methods The caregivers completed the FCQ-ED-J and the Profile of Mood States. The FCQ-ED measures the coping strategies of caregivers of ED patients to the ED symptom-related behaviors. As confirmatory factor analysis did not yield an adequate model fit, the factor structure of the FCQ-ED-J was analyzed using exploratory factor analysis. Subsequently, the reliability and validity of the FCQ-ED-J were examined using Cronbach’s alpha and Pearson’s correlation coefficients in relation to the Profile of Mood States. Results Data from 150 caregivers, including 91 mothers and 34 fathers, was analyzed (mean age 51.1 years, SD = 12.0). The FCQ-ED-J, with 13 items grouped across four subscales [“response to binge-eating” (factor 1), “response to frequent weighing” (factor 2), “response to too much physical exercise” (factor 3), and “response to abusing laxatives and/or diuretics” (factor 4)] had Cronbach’s alpha values representing acceptable to good internal consistency (0.71–0.85). Each subscale of the FCQ-ED-J was significantly correlated with the Profile of Mood States subscales. Conclusions The FCQ-ED-J had sufficient reliability and validity. The Japanese caregivers’ responses to the patient’s ED symptom-related behavior were associated with their psychological states. Thus, the FCQ-ED-J may offer insight into more effective and reasonable care by caregivers for ED patients. Plain English summary The Family Coping Questionnaire has been used by researchers to assess the coping strategies of the relatives of patients. The present study aimed to validate a Japanese version of the Family Coping Questionnaire for Eating Disorders (FCQ-ED-J) and investigate the association between the coping strategies and psychological states of the caregivers of ED patients. Data from 150 caregivers, including 91 mothers and 34 fathers, were analyzed. The FCQ-ED-J comprised 13 items grouped into four subscales, with acceptable to good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha values between 0.71 and 0.85). All subscales of the FCQ-ED-J were found to be statistically significantly correlated with the profile of mood states (POMS) subscales. The Japanese caregivers’ responses to the patient’s ED symptom-related behavior were associated with their psychological states. Thus, the FCQ-ED-J can be utilized to help caregivers provide more effective and reasonable psychological care and support to ED patients.