Psychometric properties of the excoriation (skin-picking disorder) dimensional scale

Abstract

<p><b>Objective:</b> The Excoriation (skin-picking disorder) dimensional scale (SPD-D) is a new measure of excoriation skin picking disorder (SPD). The 5-item scale was developed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (Fifth Edition) obsessive–compulsive spectrum disorders sub-workgroup to assist in the dimensional assessment of SPD.</p> <p><b>Method:</b> The aim of the present study was to provide a psychometric evaluation of this new scale in a large community sample. 803 participants were recruited from online community noticeboards around Australia.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> The results indicated that the SPD-D demonstrated a unidimensional structure, high internal consistency (<i>r_s</i> = .87, .86, and .92 across three samples), and good test–retest reliability (<i>r_s</i> = .86). The SPD-D also demonstrated good convergent validity with the Skin-Picking Scale Revised (<i>r_s</i> = .90) as well as divergent validity with the generalised anxiety disorder scale (<i>r_s</i> = .40).</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> Overall, the SPD-D appears to be a brief and reliable measure of SPD symptomatology.</p>